Air Force Targets July 4 Delivery of Qatari 747 for Air Force One

The U.S. Air Force is aiming to add a Boeing 747 jet gifted by Qatar to the presidential fleet as Air Force One by July 4, in time for the nation's 250th anniversary celebrations.

A U.S. official and a person familiar with the program said the military is targeting delivery of the 13-year-old luxury aircraft around that date, with efforts underway to complete the work even earlier, possibly by June 14, President Donald Trump's 80th birthday. The White House accepted the plane from Qatar's royal family in 2025 and directed the Air Force to upgrade it rapidly for presidential use. L3Harris Technologies is handling the modifications, which include security enhancements, secure communications to block eavesdropping and defensive systems against missiles.

An Air Force spokesperson confirmed Friday that the aircraft has finished modifications and flight testing and is now undergoing painting. "The aircraft is on schedule to deliver this summer," the spokesperson said.

The addition comes amid delays in the official Air Force One replacement program. Boeing is converting two 747-8 jets into next-generation VC-25B aircraft under a 2018 fixed-price contract originally valued at $3.9...