“Trump’s painting scheme is not being considered because it could lead to additional engineering, time and costs,” the official told CNN.
The decision came after a study showed problems with the proposal, said a source familiar with the situation.
The former president proposed a transformation of Air Force One for the first time since President John F. Kennedy was in the White House. Trump wanted to replace the light blue stripe of Air Force One with a red, white, and navy blue palette.
The navy blue has posed challenges to the sophisticated electronic system of military aircraft, which ensures that the president can maintain secure communication with ground officials.
“The painting scheme in question was one of many possible colors proposed,” a BBC spokesman told CNN earlier this month. “Further analysis concluded that darker colors, among other factors, on the underside of the VC-25B could contribute to temperatures above the current qualification limits of a small number of components.”
The government’s accountability office said in a recent report that the aircraft were undergoing a comprehensive series of tests as part of a multi-year process of upgrading two standard 747s.
The decision to cancel the paint ordered by Trump for two new Air Force One aircraft, currently manufactured by Boeing, comes amid a list of other costly construction delays that have led the planes to exceed budgets.
Earlier, Boeing revealed that it had trouble finding enough workers with enough security clearance to work in high-tech military aircraft, especially when the Covid-19 cases caused a shortage of personnel.
The aircraft builder also had a dispute with a subcontractor working on the interior of the new aircraft. This contractor was replaced, which further slowed progress. Speaking to analysts in April, Boeing CEO David Calhoun said the $ 3.9 billion contract Boeing signed to build the aircraft was a mistake for the company, given the losses it was suffering. He said the deal with the Air Force in 2018 involved “a very unique set of risks that Boeing probably should not have taken.”
Trump was particularly practical about the Air Force One deal, meeting with Boeing executives at the White House to sign the deal. He also shared drawings and a miniature model of the proposed jet with the Oval Office press.
Boeing struck a deal for the aircraft in 2018 after Trump publicly criticized the cost of the program, writing “Cancel Order!” And amid Trump’s harsh rhetoric about China, which risks consequences for Boeing and other US exporters.
Additional delays could delay the delivery of new aircraft until 2026, according to a report by Boeing and GAO. This is beyond the planned retirement date of the two aircraft built by Boeing in 1990, which are now used as Air Force One, which had to be replaced by 2025.
This story has been updated with additional reports.
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