President Donald Trump ordered the new Qatari Boeing 747 to undergo modifications to include missile defense features.
President Donald Trump announced that the new Boeing 747 solicited from Qatar will return for modifications to include missile defense systems. The aircraft, which the administration accepted from the Qatari royal family, currently lacks the infrared light emitters, chaff and flare apertures, and tracking sensors found on the existing Air Force One 747s. The plane has already cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars in communications equipment and alterations. While the administration originally estimated that modifications would take two years, the plane was put into service in late June to meet a deadline for the July 4th celebrations. President Donald Trump noted that the aircraft will be "maxed out" with capabilities in approximately one month. The decision to use the Qatari jet was driven by a desire for the United States to possess the largest plane, as many world leaders now fly aircraft larger than the 35-year-old Air Force 747s.