Click here to read my story this morning about the USAF's interest in the A380 as an Air Force One and C-5 replacement.
I started chasing this story after Boeing told me they expect the US Air Force to replace the 20-year-old Air Force One fleet in the next few years.
As implausible as the A380's candidacy seemed to me at the time, I also knew that the USAF is no longer in a position to sole-source contracts for Boeing commercial aircraft.
I also realized that the President will eventually be flying an Italian-British helicopter, and I remembered how deeply implausible that seemed only three years ago.
So it seemed clear that the only two real competitors to replace the 747-200 are the 747-8 and, of course, the A380. It was just a matter of confirming that the air force was actually interested.
I know some people will tell me this is completely absurd: The President will never fly an A380!
I wouldn't be so bold as to declare otherwise, but I may meekly suggest that strangers things have happened in air force acquisition recently. Okay, maybe not this strange.
on October 17, 2007 4:31 PM | Reply
It seems possible, but are we going to buy this because the president needs the extra size, or just because it's the biggest aircraft available?
on October 17, 2007 8:20 PM | Reply
"US Navy also may face similar pressure to replace the E-4 Looking Glass airborne command post."
The E-4B is not the Looking glass and is not a Navy run aircraft