USAF moves to modernize presidential and executive airlift fleet amid reliability concerns
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United States Air Force plans to spend more than $3.36 billion over the next five years to modernize its aging executive airlift fleet, including the long-delayed replacement program for the presidential aircraft known as Air Force One.
Budget documents tied to the Air Force’s fiscal year 2027 request show the service intends to allocate approximately $2.19 billion for a new generation of C-37 executive transport aircraft and another $1.17 billion toward completing the VC-25B presidential aircraft program.
The investment comes as reliability concerns mount across the fleet responsible for transporting senior U.S. government officials, including the president, defense secretary, members of Congress, and other top leaders worldwide.
Recent operational incidents involving aircraft carrying President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have intensified scrutiny on the condition and readiness of the executive airlift fleet, much of which operates from Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.
Air Force seeks replacement for aging C-37 fleet
New C-37C aircraft planned under multibillion-dollar program
The Air Force has outlined plans to replace its current fleet of C-37A and C-37B aircraft through a new acquisition initiative centered on a future C-37C platform.
The existing C-37A is based on the Gulfstream V business jet, while the C-37B uses the Gulfstream G550 airframe. Both aircraft variants are typically operated by five crew members and can transport up to 20 passengers.
Under the modernization plan, the Air Force intends to procure 17 new C-37C aircraft using a commercial platform that has not yet been selected. One aircraft will be dedicated to training missions, while the remaining 16 jets will replace the current fleet on a one-for-one basis.
The fiscal 2027 budget request includes $208 million for the first C-37C aircraft. Annual expenditures are expected to peak between 2029 and 2031 at approximately $548 million annually, bringing the total five-year investment close to $2.2 billion.
The C-37 fleet is widely used for transporting military commanders, Pentagon civilians, and congressional delegations to destinations around the world.
VC-25B Air Force One replacement program advances
Boeing 747-8 aircraft expected to enter service in 2028
The Air Force is also continuing efforts to complete the VC-25B program, which has experienced years of delays and cost pressures since Boeing began conversion work in 2020 under a $3.9 billion contract.
The program involves the acquisition of two modified Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental aircraft intended to replace the current VC-25A presidential jets that entered service in 1990.
The fiscal 2027 request includes more than $710 million for the VC-25B effort. Of that amount, $555 million is earmarked for engineering and manufacturing development, while $122 million will support airborne communications upgrade kits and $34 million will fund initial spare parts procurement.
The upgraded aircraft are expected to include enhanced self-defense systems, integral airstairs for ground-level boarding, autonomous baggage handling capabilities, upgraded electrical systems, a second auxiliary power unit, and advanced mission communications equipment.
The first VC-25B aircraft is currently projected for delivery in mid-2028.
Additional Boeing 747-8 aircraft to support presidential transport
According to Air & Space Forces, the Air Force is also acquiring two additional Boeing 747-8 airframes to support future presidential transport operations.
One of those aircraft — a fifth 747-8 gifted to the United States by Qatar — will serve as a temporary VC-25B “Bridge” aircraft while the primary presidential replacement program continues development and certification.
The Air Force confirmed on May 1 that modifications and testing on the bridge aircraft had been completed. The aircraft is expected to enter operational service during the summer.
Recent incidents underscore operational strain
Operational reliability issues have added urgency to the modernization effort.
In January, a VC-25A transporting President Donald Trump returned to Andrews Air Force Base after experiencing a minor electrical issue shortly after departure. The president later continued his overseas trip aboard a smaller backup aircraft.
Separately, in October 2025, a C-32 carrying Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth diverted to an air base in England after the aircraft’s windshield cracked during flight.
Mission-capable data from fiscal year 2024 also showed a slight decline in C-37 fleet availability, reinforcing concerns about long-term readiness across the executive airlift inventory.
Older aircraft remain in service despite modernization push
While the Air Force focuses spending on the VC-25B and C-37C programs, several older executive transport platforms will remain operational for years.
The C-21A Learjet fleet, consisting of 19 aircraft with an average age of 40.5 years, remains the oldest platform in the executive airlift inventory. Despite its age, the fleet continues supporting VIP transport missions and is not currently included in major modernization spending plans.
Meanwhile, the Air Force’s C-40 and C-32 fleets continue to demonstrate the strongest reliability rates within the executive transport inventory. Both aircraft types achieved mission-capable rates of roughly 90% during fiscal year 2024.
The Air Force also received $250 million in the fiscal 2026 budget to acquire and modify one additional C-40 aircraft based on the Boeing 737-700 platform. The service began searching for a used airliner earlier this year.
The C-40 Clipper serves as an airborne office for Cabinet officials, members of Congress, and the first spouse, with seating configurations ranging from 42 to 111 passengers.
The Air Force also plans to continue operating the C-32 fleet — commonly referred to as Air Force Two — through at least 2038 after shelving previous replacement plans. Instead, the service is implementing lower-cost upgrades to the aircraft’s satellite communications systems as part of a broader strategy to balance modernization priorities across the executive airlift fleet.
