The newest Air Force One, a 35-year-old modified Boeing 747, has taken to the skies, but its ability to handle the threats a president faces 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 led to the omission of critical upgrades, including missile countermeasures and secure communication systems. The plane’s lack of external modifications to the tail cone associated with a type of directional infrared missile defense system has also raised eyebrows.

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 airspace.

Upgrades and Modifications

The new plane features more fuel-efficient engines and a longer range, but it lacks aerial refueling, a capability that makes the range of the old plane practically unlimited. The Boeing 747-800 aircraft also has a new paint scheme and a larger size compared to the Boeing 747-200s delivered during President George H. W. Bush’s term.

Experts estimate that the Qatari jet would have needed three to four years of modifications to meet the same standards as the older Boeing 747s. The new plane’s medical suite, which can function as an operating room, and its secure communication systems are also being scrutinized.

Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.