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© GRAPHIC NEWS

© GRAPHIC NEWS

© GRAPHIC NEWS

Graphic shows Air Force One specifications and cut away, plus profile of the Boeing 747-8 aircraft.
GN34914EN

U.S.

Trump’s call to cancel new Air Force One

By Jordi Bou

January 20, 2017 - President-elect Donald Trump is urging the government to cancel Boeing’s contract to build a new fleet of presidential aircraft to replace the ageing models, citing “out of control” costs of more than $4 billion. As president and commander-in-chief, Trump will have the power to cancel the contract with Boeing for the new planes when he takes office on January 20.

“Air Force One” is the call sign for any aircraft carrying the U.S. president. However the term is mostly used to refer to two customised Boeing 747s.

The Associated Press reports that the Government Accountability Office, the government's auditing arm, in March of this year estimated total programme costs at more than $3.2 billion for Boeing to build two or more new planes to enter service around 2024.

Separately, Defence Department and Air Force officials put the cost for two new aircraft at around Trump's figure of $4 billion. That estimate includes the cost of research and development, construction and future maintenance.

In a statement, Boeing said it looks forward to working with the Air Force “to deliver the best planes for the president at the best value for the American taxpayer.”

Sources
PUBLISHED: 07/12/2016; STORY: Graphic News
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