The newest Air Force One, a modified Boeing 747-800, has taken to the skies, but its ability to protect the president from various threats has raised concerns among experts. The plane, which was converted from a Qatari-donated jet, was introduced with much fanfare, but its accelerated conversion has led some to question whether every critical upgrade was completed before it entered presidential service.

Security Upgrades in Question

Former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall expressed misgivings about the plane’s defensive capabilities, stating that the roughly year-long effort to modify the aircraft may not have been sufficient to fully harden it for operations in high-threat airspace. The White House has not publicly detailed the defensive upgrades, but a senior administration official said the changes were focused on essential systems and not cosmetic updates.

Aviation observers have noted that the new plane appears to lack external modifications to the tail cone associated with a type of directional infrared missile defense system. Additionally, the plane’s lack of aerial refueling capability, noticeable in a bump on the plane’s nose, has raised concerns about its range and ability to respond to emergencies.

Expert Concerns

Richard Aboulafia, managing director of AeroDynamic Advisory, emphasized the importance of installing an integrated and well-fused electronic warfare and self-protection system, as well as establishing a comprehensive communication suite. He noted that the budget and time to complete the process were simply not there, leading to concerns about the plane’s overall security and effectiveness.

Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.