Why Does Air Force One Cost $3.2 Billion Dollars?

[Vrenn]

Just a technical correction.

The VC-25B's that Boeing is working on under contract are not "new" airframes. They are late model 747-8's with low flight time and landings.

Boeing isn't building news 747's anymore.d

BTW ...

I think the US SHOULD accept the gift but it needs to come with no strings attached. Fly it to airshows for a few years as a sign of goodwill between the people of Qumar and the people of the United States. Let people tour it. Then in 5 years or so when everyone forgets about it, convert it from a Bordello In The Sky (I wouldn't want to walk around that thing with a black light) to a Troop Carrier that the Air Force can use for rapid troop movement in times of conflict.

Pair it up with a C-5 or C-17. The 747 carries the troops th C-5/C-17 carries their equipment.

Sounds like a win/win.

WW

During those 5 years, the DOD would have to pay millions to keep it in the air and to even just park it outside of the boneyard. The DOD isn't in the "Tourist" business. "Tour the world and kill something" is the motto not, let's fly a bunch of diplomats around in a feel good flight.

As for trying to use it as troop transport or cargo hauler, if we need more of that we buy more C-17s and C-5s.

C-5M Super costs just under 150 million brand new.
C-17 costs just over 200 million.

Meaning, for the cost of converting the Qatar 747-8 to military duty, you could buy two brand new C-5Ms or two C-17s and have money left over.

 

[Vrenn]

The Qatar "gift plane" was a head fake, not gonna happen. Boeing is behind schedule and over budget on the next AF1. This was imo to light a fire under their ass and get it done. Current ETC is 2026.

I think it's another, "Hey, look over here" routine to hide some other thing like the stupid Tax Bill. Well, it's stupid to normal people but makes great sense to billionaires.

 

[WorldWatcher]

During those 5 years, the DOD would have to pay millions to keep it in the air and to even just park it outside of the boneyard. The DOD isn't in the "Tourist" business. "Tour the world and kill something" is the motto not, let's fly a bunch of diplomats around in a feel good flight.

I said display it at air shows as a sign of good will.

And yea, the military is in the business of good will and using air shows as recruiting events.

As for trying to use it as troop transport or cargo hauler, if we need more of that we buy more C-17s and C-5s.

C-5M Super costs just under 150 million brand new.
C-17 costs just over 200 million.

Meaning, for the cost of converting the Qatar 747-8 to military duty, you could buy two brand new C-5Ms or two C-17s and have money left over.

A C-5 can carry about 270 troops in an air bus configuration. Meaning leaving a lot of their equipment on the ground. A 757-800 can be configured to about 500 people.

So marrying the two for a major movement is a win/win. Move the people on the 747-800 and their equipment on the C-5.

WW

 

[Vrenn]

I said display it at air shows as a sign of good will.

And yea, the military is in the business of good will and using air shows as recruiting events.

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A C-5 can carry about 270 troops in an air bus configuration. Meaning leaving a lot of their equipment on the ground. A 757-800 can be configured to about 500 people.

So marrying the two for a major movement is a win/win. Move the people on the 747-800 and their equipment on the C-5.

WW

Funny how you bring up the 757 but let's add the new 777 and 787 as well. And let's also bring up the A350 and 320. Both of these are being purchased to replace the aging 747 fleets across the world for VC type use. The reason the 747 was chosen in the first place, it was the first commercial carrier that had any real legs. Not so anymore. Quatar has 6 of thee 747-8s that they tried to sell and now are having to give them away. No one is taking them. I disagree, they would make a wonderful "Last Chance" Diner.

 

[WorldWatcher]

Funny how you bring up the 757 but let's add the new 777 and 787 as well. And let's also bring up the A350 and 320. Both of these are being purchased to replace the aging 747 fleets across the world for VC type use. The reason the 747 was chosen in the first place, it was the first commercial carrier that had any real legs. Not so anymore. Quatar has 6 of thee 747-8s that they tried to sell and now are having to give them away. No one is taking them. I disagree, they would make a wonderful "Last Chance" Diner.

Apologies, obviously 757-800 was a typo of 747-800.

WW

 

[Vrenn]

Apologies, obviously 757-800 was a typo of 747-800.

WW

More like a Freudian Slip.