Realistic alternative to Boeing or Airbus for US presidential plane?

[yorkie]

I'm not happy with Boeing, Trump says over Air Force One

US president says he is looking for alternatives because Boeing is taking too long to build new planes

www.bbc.com

The US President Donald Trump has said he is not happy with Boeing over a contract to build two new Air Force One planes that is running behind schedule.

"No, I'm not happy with Boeing. It takes them a long time to do, you know, Air Force One, we gave that contract out a long time ago," Trump said.

"We may buy a plane or get a plane, or something."

When asked whether he would consider buying new planes from Boeing's European rival, Airbus, Trump said "No, I would not consider Airbus over Boeing, but I could buy one that was used and convert it."

What realistic alternatives would there be, other than Boeing or Airbus?

Or is the suggestion that the plane would be a pre-used Boeing plane, but a different company would convert it, and if so, is that actually feasible?

 

[Watershed]

They're never going to trust a European manufacturer with a contract like this. The "Built in America" cachet is one thing but more fundamentally it's a (perceived) question of security.

Realistically only Boeing have the capability to manufacture the necessary plane. There are companies that convert passenger aircraft to freighters who could potentially do the conversion work, but with the plane half-started I would have thought it's too late to change contractors.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

I'm not happy with Boeing, Trump says over Air Force One

US president says he is looking for alternatives because Boeing is taking too long to build new planes

www.bbc.com

What realistic alternatives would there be, other than Boeing or Airbus?

Or is the suggestion that the plane would be a pre-used Boeing plane, but a different company would convert it, and if so, is that actually feasible?

One word - none.

He would be mocked beyond belief if he did not buy American. Unless, unless a certain Space X person who was born in South Africa can persuade him to buy a Space X vehicle of some description.

He has no choice but to go with the heavily modified 747.

 

[Shaw S Hunter]

I believe Trump recently had a look round a Boeing 747 of the Qatari Amiri Flight at Miami. The suggestion is he might prefer to purchase that aircraft, or one similar, and have it modified to suit the specific needs of a US Presidential aircraft. Given how late Boeing is running with the order for the new Air Force One it might actually be quicker to do this.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

They're never going to trust a European manufacturer with a contract like this. The "Built in America" cachet is one thing but more fundamentally it's a (perceived) question of security.

Realistically only Boeing have the capability to manufacture the necessary plane. There are companies that convert passenger aircraft to freighters who could potentially do the conversion work, but with the plane half-started I would have thought it's too late to change contractors.

Correct.

 

[MP33]

They manufacture aircraft in Russia, we all know how safe they are. Go for it, Trump.

 

[edwin_m]

I guess in principle one of the other big US defence contractors could take on the job, starting either with a 747 or with one of the larger transport types. But I can't see it being any less problematic than what they are doing now.

 

[birchesgreen]

I'm not happy with Boeing, Trump says over Air Force One

US president says he is looking for alternatives because Boeing is taking too long to build new planes

www.bbc.com

What realistic alternatives would there be, other than Boeing or Airbus?

Or is the suggestion that the plane would be a pre-used Boeing plane, but a different company would convert it, and if so, is that actually feasible?

The new Air Force One is already going to be a pre-existing Boeing plane (although un-used by their customer). Its basically being rebuilt and then heavily modified. No matter what they pick it will need to be heavily modified.

 

[generalnerd]

What realistic alternatives would there be, other than Boeing or Airbus?

COMAC of china

 

[birchesgreen]

Trump's boss will sell him a lovely Il-96 i am sure.

 

[Llanigraham]

With all the money Trump has taken from his Russian backers I'm surprised he isn't buying from them. Sukhoi should be able to build him something.

 

[edwin_m]

Perhaps we can get Musk to blast him into space. Or even Boeing. One way ticket.

 

[JN114]

Longer term, and on a marginally more serious / less political note - Boom Overture if they actually ever build it.

Otherwise no, Boeing is the only realistic prospect if it’s an airliner-sized aircraft the US Government is after.

If Trump was willing to scale down a little, perhaps a Gulfstream or a Citation?

But no manufacturer is going to do a clean sheet design for it; and Boeing are the only US manufacturer that builds aircraft in the required size class at present.

 

[Gag Halfrunt]

I believe Trump recently had a look round a Boeing 747 of the Qatari Amiri Flight at Miami.

Perhaps Trump's real objection is that the new Air Force One planes won't be luxurious or "beautiful" enough for his tastes. I would guess that the Qatari plane has the kind of bling-bling interior he likes.

 

[Wyrleybart]

Not mentioned yet is that Trump has his own Boeing 757.
Google reports
Trump's Boeing 757-200 is registered in the United States as N757AF (ICAO 24-bit address AA3410) and was built in 1991. It was originally delivered to Denmark's Sterling Airlines and by 1993 was operated by Mexico's TAESA. In 1995, it became a corporate jet for Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen's enterprises.

I am confident AF1 is a pool of two modified Boeing 747-8s

 

[DanNCL]

Longer term, and on a marginally more serious / less political note - Boom Overture if they actually ever build it.

Seen a picture on Twitter of Trump holding a model of the Boom Overture in the new Air Force 1 livery expected on the 747-8s.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GkmWylgXYAAJf9p.jpg

 

[ninja-lewis]

Longer term, and on a marginally more serious / less political note - Boom Overture if they actually ever build it.

Otherwise no, Boeing is the only realistic prospect if it’s an airliner-sized aircraft the US Government is after.

If Trump was willing to scale down a little, perhaps a Gulfstream or a Citation?

But no manufacturer is going to do a clean sheet design for it; and Boeing are the only US manufacturer that builds aircraft in the required size class at present.

Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) have the contract to convert five ex-Korean Air 747-8s into E-4C Survivable Airborne Operations Centers.

SNC E-4C Survivable Airborne Operations Center - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[ExRes]

COMAC of china

Did they manage to finish Biden One?

 

[SN_OCC]

The 2x 748's they have in the shop being converted were originally built for Transaero. Even though they were never delivered its slightly ironic that they will be carrying POTUS. Especially the current one.....if Boeing manage to turn them out in time. And with Boeings current track record of building anything that does not immediately fall apart, its not looking good. See the developing KC-46 fiasco.......

 

[Bald Rick]

Perhaps we can get Musk to blast him into space. Or even Boeing. One way ticket.

I have seen a meme of the latest Space-X failure with a caption saying “Space-X boss to be responsible for next Air Force One”.

 

[DustyBin]

Trump's boss will sell him a lovely Il-96 i am sure.

I'll raise you an Il-62.... Perfectly safe!

 

[birchesgreen]

I'll raise you an Il-62.... Perfectly safe!

I've flown on one, certainly an... experience.

 

[Starmill]

There are barely any new build aircraft for sale that are not one of Boeing, Airbus or Chinese-based. You may have more choice if it's not a jet you want, but...

 

[edwin_m]

There are barely any new build aircraft for sale that are not one of Boeing, Airbus or Chinese-based. You may have more choice if it's not a jet you want, but...

Embraer out of Brazil also make commercial jets, but only small ones. And there's the Sukhoi Superjet...

 

[DustyBin]

Embraer out of Brazil also make commercial jets, but only small ones. And there's the Sukhoi Superjet...

There’s also the Tupolev Tu-214 and the Yakovlev MC-21, both with over 200 seats in single class configuration. Both are experiencing production issues (largely due to sanctions I believe), but they exist and can be ordered.

I wouldn’t consider either likely candidates for the new US presidential plane however…

 

[vuzzeho]

Seen a picture on Twitter of Trump holding a model of the Boom Overture in the new Air Force 1 livery expected on the 747-8s.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GkmWylgXYAAJf9p.jpg

Blake Scholl, Boom CEO, has been posting insufferably on Twitter clearly trying to get Trump to buy it. It's a little sad, really. He's recently posted a tweet supporting the tariffs - as if they're not about to jeopardise the Overture as a whole. If he continues to attach his personal political beliefs with the aircraft, airlines globally might shy away from it.