WASHINGTON D.C.- The United States Air Force (USAF) plans to commit more than $3.36 billion over the next five years to modernize its executive airlift fleet and complete the long-delayed VC-25B “Air Force One” replacement program.
The funding includes $2.19 billion for new C-37 jets and $1.17 billion projected for the VC-25B program based on the Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental.
The aging fleet, which primarily operates from Joint Base Andrews (ADW) in Maryland near Washington, D.C., faces mounting reliability challenges.
Recent incidents involving aircraft carrying President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have highlighted the urgent need to upgrade the high-profile transport platforms used to move senior US leaders globally.
Modernizing the C-37 Executive Transport Fleet
The Air Force outlined a new acquisition program in its fiscal year 2027 budget request to replace the existing C-37A and C-37B fleet.
The C-37A is a modified Gulfstream V, while the C-37B is built on the Gulfstream G550 platform. Both variants operate with five aircrew members and carry up to 20 passengers.
USAF intends to acquire 17 new C-37C jets based on a commercial aircraft platform yet to be selected. One airframe will serve as a trainer, while the remaining 16 will replace the current fleet on a one-for-one basis.
The 2027 budget allocates $208 million for the first C-37C aircraft. Annual spending peaks between 2029 and 2031 at $548 million, with the 5 year plan totaling close to $2.2 billion.
The C-37 fleet currently transports military leaders, Pentagon civilians, and congressional officials across global destinations.
VC-25B Air Force One Program Pushes Toward Delivery
The Air Force continues to push the long-delayed VC-25B program toward completion.
The 2027 budget request includes more than $710 million for the effort, with $555 million dedicated to engineering and manufacturing development, $122 million for airborne communications upgrade kits, and $34 million for initial spares.
USAF is acquiring two VC-25B aircraft, modified from the Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental, to replace the existing VC-25A jets delivered in 1990.
Planned upgrades include self-defensive systems, integral airstairs for ground-level boarding, autonomous baggage handling, updated electrical systems, a second auxiliary power unit, and mission communications gear.
Boeing began the conversion work in 2020 under a $3.9 billion contract. The first delivery is currently projected for mid-2028.
Bridge Aircraft and Additional 747-8 Acquisitions
According to Air & Space Forces, the service is also acquiring two additional 747-8 airframes to support future presidential transport requirements.
Qatar gifted the United States a fifth 747-8, which will function as a temporary VC-25B “Bridge” aircraft.
The Air Force confirmed on May 1 that modifications and testing on the bridge aircraft have concluded.
The jet is expected to enter service during the summer, providing additional capacity while the primary VC-25B platforms complete development and certification.
Recent Incidents
In January, a VC-25A carrying President Donald Trump made a U-turn back to Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, due to a minor electrical issue. The President then continued his overseas travel aboard a smaller backup aircraft.
In October 2025, a C-32 carrying Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth diverted to an air base in England after the windshield cracked mid-flight.
Mission capable data from 2024 also shows a slight dip in the C-37’s availability, reinforcing concerns about the readiness of the executive airlift fleet.
Air Force Executive Airlift Fleet Overview
| Aircraft | Modified From | Mission | Current Inventory | Average Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VC-25A ‘Air Force One’ | Boeing 747 | Presidential airlift | 2 | 37 |
| C-21A | Learjet | VIP Transport | 19 | 40.5 |
| C-32A ‘Air Force Two’ | Boeing 757-200 | VP, first spouse, and Cabinet transport; serves as Air Force One when President is aboard | 4 | 27 |
| C-37A | Gulfstream V | Executive airlift for senior military and Pentagon civilians | 9 | 24.47 |
| C-37B | Gulfstream G550 | Executive airlift for senior military and Pentagon civilians | 7 | 9.57 |
| C-40B | Boeing 737-400 | “Office in the Sky” for Cabinet and members of Congress | 4 | 21.65 |
| C-40C Clipper | Boeing 737-400 | “Office in the Sky” for Cabinet and members of Congress | 7 | 19.76 |
Oldest Fleet in Service
The C-21A Learjet stands as the oldest platform in the executive airlift fleet, with an average age of 40.5 years across 19 aircraft.
The fleet continues to support VIP transport missions despite its advanced age, though it falls outside the current modernization spending priorities outlined in the 2027 budget.
C-40 and C-32 Lead Fleet Reliability
The C-40 and C-32 emerge as the most reliable platforms in the executive airlift inventory. Both fleets recorded mission capable rates of 90 percent during fiscal year 2024.
The Air Force received $250 million in the 2026 budget to acquire and modify one additional C-40 jet based on the Boeing 737-700 platform.
The service began searching for a used airliner in February. The C-40 Clipper carries between 42 and 111 passengers and serves as an “office in the sky” for the Cabinet, members of Congress, and the first spouse.
Budget documents indicate the C-40 has a design service life of 35,000 flying hours, with an average of 21,700 hours remaining across the fleet.
C-32 Air Force Two to Continue Through 2038
The Air Force is making low-cost modifications to the satellite communications system on the C-32, also known as Air Force Two.
First delivered in 1998, the C-32 fleet will continue flying through 2038 after the service abandoned plans to replace the six aircraft.
The decision to extend the C-32 service life reflects USAF’s strategy to balance modernization investments across multiple executive airlift platforms while prioritizing the VC-25B and C-37C programs as the top capital priorities.
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