Boeing has won two contracts for its Wichita-based development and modification center, valued at a combined $126 million. One contract is for $81 million of work on the presidential fleet of two modified Boeing 747-200Bs—designated VC-25As by the Air Force and given the call sign “Air Force One” when transporting the President. The other work is for a $45 million remanufacturing effort on the engine struts of KC-135E tankers. The contract stipulates that 72 engine struts are required by March 2008.
The Air Force just got its hands on its first operational T-7A trainer jet, and officials are already thinking about adding a slew of upgrades—including some that could help the service use the Red Hawk to train less experienced pilots.