Accelerating Air Force One Deliveries: Boeing Teams Up with Elon Musk
In a bid to expedite the delivery of the delayed and overbudget Air Force One replacements, Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg has revealed that the company is collaborating with Elon Musk, a trusted advisor to President Donald Trump. The two Boeing 747s, which will serve as the next Air Force One aircraft, are currently more than $2 billion over budget and years behind schedule.
Design Changes, Labor Constraints, and Supply Chain Issues
Boeing attributes the delays to design changes, labor constraints, and supply chain problems. President Trump had initially threatened to cancel the order due to high costs, but eventually struck a deal for the aircraft during his first term in 2017.
Cost-Cutting Measures
Ortberg disclosed that Boeing has been working with Musk to eliminate costs and deliver the aircraft earlier. While it remains unclear whether the aircraft will be delivered before Trump’s current term ends, an Air Force spokesperson expects an updated delivery schedule from Boeing in the spring.
Musk’s Involvement
Musk, whose company SpaceX competes with Boeing’s space unit, has been working closely with Trump in recent months. The billionaire is also heading Trump’s commission tasked with reducing government spending. When asked about the collaboration, Ortberg stated, “The president wants those planes sooner, so we’re working with Elon to see what we can do to pull up the schedule of those programs.”
Financial Implications
In the last quarter, Boeing took $1.7 billion in pretax charges in its defense and space unit, including for the Air Force One program. Ortberg, who became CEO in August, replaced the head of that business in September with an internal, interim leader.
A New Era for Air Force One
As Boeing works to accelerate the delivery of the new Air Force One aircraft, the company is committed to providing the President with a state-of-the-art fleet. With Musk’s expertise and Trump’s enthusiasm, the project is poised to take off in a new direction.
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