HASC adds funds for Virginia-class subs, Ukraine in FY26 policy bill
Republicans successfully batted down a number of Democratic amendments during the 14-hour markup session.
Boeing hires former Northrop exec to lead Air Force One program
Steve Sullivan, formerly vice president and general manager of Northrop’s strike division, has been tapped to lead Boeing’s VC-25B program, according to an internal email reviewed by Breaking Defense.
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Boeing ‘very close’ to finalizing Air Force One design changes
“Over the last four or five months, we've made more progress than we've made in the last four years. … We have been able to see our way through some of these requirements that were just physically impossible to do,” said Steve Parker, the interim CEO of Boeing’s defense business.
House GOP appropriators pass defense spending bill defeating Dem measures on Air Force One, Ukraine
The committee voted 36-27 to send its funding proposal to the House floor after a marathon markup that lasted almost nine hours.
Before lawmakers, Hegseth refuses to disclose cost, schedule to convert Qatari jet to Air Force One
The secretary of defense also defended cuts to the E-7 Wedgetail, Constellation-class frigate, and Ukraine assistance funds during the congressional hearing.
Turning Qatari jet into Air Force One would cost ‘less than $400 million,’ Air Force secretary says
Troy Meink also said he “couldn’t guarantee” that a proposal to accelerate a separate and long-delayed Boeing program for two new Air Force Ones could achieve a delivery date of 2027.
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Pentagon accepts 747 from Qatar as Democrats try to block Air Force One plan
President Donald Trump’s embrace of a luxurious jet offered as a gift by the Qatari royal family has drawn bipartisan concerns about converting the aircraft to serve as a new executive airlifter.
Democrats say potential Qatari ‘gift’ of a new Air Force One raises ‘serious’ concerns
Trump seemingly confirmed the plan to turn a Qatari-owned 747 into a new presidential transport plane, stating that “the Defense Department is getting a GIFT, FREE OF CHARGE, of a 747 aircraft to replace the 40 year old Air Force One.”
Air Force considers loosening Air Force One requirements to hit 2027 delivery
A separate Boeing project to integrate a new radar on the B-52 Stratofortress bomber has also suffered a cost breach, said Air Force official Darlene Costello.
Budget impasse risks ‘Doomsday’ plane delay, SNC says
“I'm ramping up my work. I'm adding new facilities, I'm adding infrastructure, I'm adding cost. That cost has to be carried by someone,” SNC’s Jon Piatt told Breaking Defense.
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Trump ‘clearly not happy’ with delivery schedule for new Air Force One jets, Boeing CEO says
Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg said Department of Government Efficiency chief Elon Musk is “helping us in a big way” to speed up the schedule for the two planes, as setbacks risk delaying their delivery until after Trump leaves office.
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First delivery for Air Force One slides to 2029, source says
Even more delays may lie ahead for Boeing’s efforts to convert two 747s into flying West Wings.
Congress denies Air Force request for second C-40 VIP transport plane
The new C-40s would supplement executive airlift missions for “Top Five” users — the vice president, first spouse, defense secretary, Joint Chiefs chairman and secretary of state — who rely on a fleet of C-32 aircraft that can only support 59 percent of Top Five travel requests, the Air Force told Breaking Defense.