Reports emerged suggesting that President Donald Trump will officially accept the gift of a Boeing 747-8 aircraft from the Qatar Royal Family during an overseas trip next week.
The aircraft, currently registered P4-HBJ, would be intended to serve as Trump’s primary Air Force One aircraft until the end of his term in January 2029, when it will be transferred to the Trump Presidential Library. President Trump has been vocal about his dissatisfaction with the delays and cost of the official U.S. Air Force replacement program for the VC-25As that presently provide Presidential transport.
Boeing, in the process of converting two 747-8s into VC-25Bs, initially intended to deliver replacement aircraft by the mid 2020s. As of February 2025, U.S. officials believe the VC-25Bs will not enter service before 2029, and may be even later than that. 82-8000 and 92-9000, the two U.S. Air Force’s two VC-25As, were delivered in 1990 and are bespoke derivatives of the 747-200 model. By the time of their expected retirement, they will be around 40 to 45 years old.
With an estimated value of $400 million, the 747-8 aircraft would likely become the most expensive gift ever accepted by a sitting U.S. President, raising questions as to whether such an arrangement is even legal. ABC News reports that Pam Bondi, the U.S. Attorney General, advised that it could be achieved legally as long as the subsequent transfer to the Presidential library goes ahead.
Ownership of the aircraft would be transferred to the U.S. Air Force, with a significant modification process then required to outfit the jet with the communications and self-defense equipment deemed necessary for Presidential travel. This means it is likely to still be some time, potentially years, before President Trump can actually use the new aircraft.
Formerly operated as a private jet for the Qatari Royal Family, under the registration A7-HBJ, the aircraft was withdrawn from use in 2023 and eventually given the temporary registration P4-HBJ while a new operator was found. Its last activity was a flight on Apr. 3 from Bangor, Maine, to San Antonio, Texas. San Antonio is home to L3Harris Technologies, who have reportedly been contracted to convert the aircraft to the Air Force’s specifications. The arrival of the aircraft last month suggests this process may already have begun.
As a U.S. Air Force owned and operated aircraft, it will likely receive a military style type designation, although it’s unclear exactly what this would be. It may be the case that the aircraft’s configuration will differ from the VC-25B to such a degree that another new designation, potentially VC-25C, might be required.
We also don’t know how the aircraft will be serialized in the U.S. system. Renderings, like those shown above, depict the VC-25B carrying on the out-of-sequence series used for Presidential aircraft – carrying the tail number 30000, following from 29000. As the VC-25Bs have yet to be delivered, the gifted 747-8 might take the first’s place in the series, or it may be placed outside of it altogether and treated semi-unofficially in the lineup of Presidential aircraft.
We have the largest collection of presidential aircraft in a museum, with the “William E. Boeing Presidential Gallery” featuring historic presidential aircraft, including the famous Boeing VC-137C SAM 26000, which was used by multiple presidents Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, and more. pic.twitter.com/vtzasw5bWY
— National Museum USAF (@AFmuseum) October 23, 2024
Amid criticism of its handling of the VC-25B contract, Boeing have said that if certain security requirements were relaxed it would be able to deliver the airframes in 2027. Understandably, workers on the aircraft as well as components being fitted to the aircraft are required to hold security clearances.
Until a recent temporary easement, Boeing employees on the program must have had a Yankee White level clearance. Yankee White is a very specific, high-level clearance intended for those who work in close proximity to or with the U.S. President and Vice President or the equipment related to those roles. Achieving this level of clearance is a significant undertaking, requiring a large amount of time, which would mean simply increasing staffing levels to finish the project on time would not be possible in the same way as most other contracts.
Presidential Transit in Transition
While the VC-25B program remains mired in problems, the long-delayed VH-92A Patriot helicopter has finally entered active service alongside the venerable VH-3D Sea Kings and VH-60N Whitehawks it is eventually due to replace.
The Patriot has now been equipped with Starshield, the military variant of SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service, becoming the first helicopter with the technology. Presidential travel missions are still shared between it and the older helicopters as HMX-1 completes the transition process.
Under the 2025 Marine Aviation Plan, the VH-3D Sea King is expected to remain in service until at least 2026, while the newer VH-60N Whitehawk is due to be withdrawn in 2030. The plan states that the VH-60N offers “unique capabilities in high/hot environments”, revealing a rare insight into how the use of the helicopters may be decided by planners.
Presidential Helicopters Program Office and the #MarineCorps accepted delivery of final VH-92A Patriot helicopter in August for total of 23 aircraft. The Patriot is amid a transition plan from the legacy VH-3D and VH-60N aircraft. #NavalAviation
📰: https://t.co/z5m4ELz6iG pic.twitter.com/XstpnlAazd
— NAVAIR (@NAVAIRNews) August 19, 2024
Another key advantage of the Whitehawk over both the VH-3D and VH-92A is the inclusion of folding main rotor blades. When air-transported by C-17A Globemaster IIIs, the latter two aircraft must have their main rotor blades removed from the aircraft, lengthening the unloading and flight preparation process.
On the ground, General Motors appear to be in the early stages of producing the next generation of the official Presidential limo – codenamed Stagecoach. Presidential limousines, often referred to as ‘The Beast’, are usually refreshed around every 8-10 years. The current design, badged as a Cadillac, was introduced in 2018 and is essentially built on a truck chassis.
Unlike former Presidential aircraft, which frequently become centerpieces of museums and Presidential libraries upon retirement, older models of the Presidential limo are reportedly destroyed after being withdrawn. This is to protect the secrecy of the level of protection afforded to Presidents. The exact specifications of these vehicles are closely guarded by the United States Secret Service, and those who work on the vehicles must hold security clearances in the same way as Air Force One contractors.
