The Air Force released a request for proposal from Boeing for the engineering and manufacturing development phase of the presidential aircraft recapitalization program on Monday. The request calls for the fielding of two modified 747-8 aircraft that are anticipated to replace the current Air Force One fleet in 2024. The service is still considering buying a third production representative aircraft, according to a release detailing the RFP. Boeing has already been awarded more than $150 million to carry out risk-reduction activities for the program to replace the VC-25 fleet. “The results of our ongoing risk reduction efforts are providing data that we can use to make sound decisions regarding the requirements and design trade-offs,” said Col. Amy McCain, the Presidential Aircraft Recapitalization program manager, according to the release. “These requirements decisions will then be applied to Boeing’s EMD proposal.” (See also: The Next Air Force One from the June issue of Air Force Magazine.)
Anduril and General Atomics will develop their Collaborative Combat Aircraft for the Air Force, beating out Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman, the service announced on April 24. But any of the non-selected companies can compete to actually manufacture the eventual design, the Air Force said.