The newest Air Force One, a 35-year-old modified Boeing 747, has taken to the skies, but its ability to protect the President from various threats is being questioned by experts. The plane, which was converted on an unusually compressed timeline, may not have received the necessary communications, security, and defensive upgrades to serve as the heavily fortified “flying White House.”

Security Concerns

Former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall expressed concerns that the accelerated conversion may have compromised the plane’s security features. “To do that, they would have had to leave out a lot of things that are on a regular Air Force One,” Kendall said. The plane’s defensive systems, including missile countermeasures and chaff, are unclear, and some experts believe that the plane may not be equipped to handle high-threat airspace.

The White House has not publicly detailed the defensive upgrades, but a senior administration official stated that the changes were focused on essential systems and not cosmetic updates. However, experts argue that the roughly year-long effort to modify the aircraft may not have been sufficient to fully harden it for operations in high-threat environments.

Upgrades and Modifications

The new plane features a new paint scheme, larger size, and more fuel-efficient engines, but it lacks aerial refueling capabilities and may not have the same level of security as the older Boeing 747s. The plane’s medical suite, which can function as an operating room, and its communication systems are also unclear.

President Trump had wanted the new plane in the air by July 4, and it made its first trip on July 3 to Bismarck, North Dakota. However, the plane’s readiness to handle threats, particularly in the Middle East, remains a concern. As the United States launched strikes on Iran, the President’s safety is a top priority, and the new Air Force One’s ability to protect him is being scrutinized.

Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.