Red, White, & Blue Tossed Over Heating Concerns

The Air Force has chosen the next livery for the President's aircraft, the modernized VC-25B.

The "Next Air Force One", as the Air Force has taken to calling it, will retain many of the same styling cues as the current VC-25A while using a larger 747-8i aircraft. The Air Force emphasized 3 particular differences between the aircraft, though most will require a keen eye to notice. 

"The light blue on VC-25B is a slightly deeper, more modern tone than VC-25A's robin's egg blue. Additionally, the VC-25B engines will use the darker blue from the cockpit area vice the VC-25A’s robin’s egg blue. Finally, there is no polished metal section on the VC-25B because modern commercial aircraft skin alloys don't allow for it."

The long, formal decision process for VC-25B's livery was required to complete engineering, certification preparation, and supplier selection. Originally, the aircraft was displayed in a red, white, and blue livery, but additional testing showed untenable heat transfer for the dark blue color in certain environments.

The Air Force said that VC-25B aircraft will replace the current VC-25A fleet to address "capability gaps, rising maintenance costs, and parts obsolescence." Modifications to the aircraft will include upgraded electrical systems, communication system, a medical facility, an executive interior, a self-defense system, and autonomous ground operations capabilities.

The first VC-25B delivery is projected for 2027, with the 2nd inbound the year after. Until then, the Force notes, the VC-25A will remain mission ready.

FMI: www.af.mil