The Air Force is working with the White House Office of Military Requirements to adjust what is needed in the next-generation Air Force One. Air Mobility Command chief Gen. Carlton Everhart said he had a “very interesting conversation” with then-President elect Donald Trump at his resort in Mar-a-Lago, Fla., where he raised his concerns about the cost of the next Air Force One. The meeting helped the Air Force “understand a little bit of the perspective of what our Commander in Chief desires,” Everhart told reporters at AWS17. The White House Office of Military Requirements also is working with other groups, such as the Secret Service, to outline what is needed for the aircraft, then USAF will go back to programming the acquisition phase, Everhart said. President Trump “knows airplanes” and has been very interested in the program, Everhart said. The Air Force has so far awarded about $170 million for risk reduction on the program, with plans to field at least two modified 747-8 jets in 2024.
The new defense reconciliation bill includes $7.2 billion for Air Force and Navy aviation accounts, almost half of which will buy more F-15EXs. While electronic warfare, drones, connectivity and airlift all get attention, the F-35 was conspicuously absent from the package, with no explanation given.