Retrofitting the 13-year-old plane will require significant security upgrades, communications improvements to prevent spies from listening in and the ability to fend off incoming missiles, experts say.
Oh possibly. Not sure the government has even signed those contracts yet at this point.
The one surprising thing is that the Qatari jet is actually a 747-8 model like the two new contracted planes. So I suppose it could technically be outfitted as a new Air Force One, then only one of the new airframes finished and outfitted, and then gut this to finish the second new airframe, leaving a gutted 747-8 for Trump.
I meant the updating of the Qatari plane could balloon to equal the cost of one of the newer planes.
Oh possibly. Not sure the government has even signed those contracts yet at this point.
The one surprising thing is that the Qatari jet is actually a 747-8 model like the two new contracted planes. So I suppose it could technically be outfitted as a new Air Force One, then only one of the new airframes finished and outfitted, and then gut this to finish the second new airframe, leaving a gutted 747-8 for Trump.
But we know that’s not what will happen.