Image: Sergey Kustov · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
L3Harris delivers first converted 747-8I as interim VC-25B presidential jet
L3Harris has completed and delivered a Boeing 747-8I business jet converted into the VC-25B Bridge, beginning its service as the US presidential transport aircraft.
The gist
A converted 747-8I gifted by Qatar now serves as the interim VC-25B Air Force One, replacing one aging VC-25A aircraft.
L3Harris marked a major milestone with the delivery of the first VC-25B Bridge presidential transport aircraft on 19 June 2026. This jet, a Boeing 747-8I business aircraft previously owned by the Qatari royal family, was gifted to the US government in May 2025. After a 10-month conversion by L3Harris to equip it with the specialized security and communications systems required for presidential use, the aircraft has now been handed over to the US Air Force at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.
This delivery initiates the gradual retirement of one of the ageing VC-25A jets, the original presidential transports based on heavily modified Boeing 747-200s. The VC-25A fleet has been experiencing extended heavy maintenance cycles, so the addition of the VC-25B Bridge helps relieve operational pressure. The retiring VC-25A recently completed its final presidential flight, transporting then-President Donald Trump back from the G7 Summit in France.
The VC-25B Bridge is distinct from the two new VC-25Bs being developed directly by Boeing under a 2018 contract valued at $4 billion. Boeing's program has faced repeated schedule delays and over $1 billion in penalty charges, with its first delivery now expected in 2028. In contrast, L3Harris’s rapid conversion provided a stopgap to meet urgent presidential airlift needs using an available 747-8I platform.
The Qatari 747-8I used for the Bridge conversion required extensive upgrades to meet US presidential transport standards, but the original interior layout was reportedly only minimally altered. The US Air Force confirmed the aircraft met stringent security and communications mandates, deliberately foregoing some less critical mission capabilities to accelerate delivery and maintain safety and protection standards for the president.
Security concerns arising from the foreign origin of the aircraft were addressed by an elite interagency team tasked with identifying and mitigating potential espionage or technical hazards. The USAF stated the jet successfully passed rigorous checks, ensuring the highest security for the president and continuity of government functions during all missions. Details on hazards found, if any, have not been publicly disclosed.
The VC-25B Bridge features a new livery, departing from the traditional robin's egg blue and white painting introduced in the 1960s by designer Raymond Loewy. The darker navy blue underside combined with red and gold stripes was personally selected by Donald Trump during his term. This distinct appearance contrasts with the Biden administration's preference to revert to the classic scheme, underscoring the political and historic significance of the aircraft’s presentation.
Training for the new VC-25B crews began in October 2025 using leased 747-8 freighter aircraft, with an additional 747-8I acquired from Lufthansa to support pilot and crew readiness. This structured preparation ensures a smooth transition to the new aircraft’s operational use once commissioning flights conclude, solidifying its role within the 89th Airlift Wing at Joint Base Andrews.
The strategic integration of the VC-25B Bridge into presidential airlift operations marks a critical capability extension for America’s executive transportation during a period of fleet renewal challenges. It provides a timely, interim platform supporting presidential travel, national security communications, and mission continuity until Boeing’s purpose-built VC-25Bs are delivered later this decade.
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