Elon Musk Steps In to Speed Up Delayed Air Force One Jets

Elon Musk is lending a hand to speed up the long-delayed renovations of the next generation of Air Force One jets. The billionaire, who recently took on a role focused on government efficiency, recently visited Boeing to discuss the project. The two 747 jets, originally set for delivery in 2022, are now delayed until at least 2027.

Boeing’s CEO, Kelly Ortberg, shared that Musk’s visit in December was part of ongoing discussions to identify bottlenecks and streamline the process. “The president wants the airplane sooner, and we’re working with Elon and the team to figure out how we can pull up the schedule,” Ortberg explained in an interview. He described the talks as “constructive” and focused on cutting unnecessary delays.

The Air Force One program, officially known as VC-25B, has faced significant setbacks, including staffing shortages during the pandemic and supply chain issues. Boeing has already reported billions in losses related to the project, with a recent $1.7 billion charge for military contracts adding to its financial woes. The fixed-price contract for the two jets stands at $3.9 billion, with overruns absorbed by Boeing, not taxpayers.

Despite the challenges, Ortberg expressed optimism about improving performance by 2025. However, Boeing’s broader financial struggles continue. The company posted a massive $4 billion loss in its latest quarter, contributing to a full-year loss of $11.8 billion. This follows years of difficulties, including the grounding of the 737 Max and the pandemic’s impact on the aviation industry.

Musk’s involvement highlights the urgency to get the next Air Force One jets airborne. While there’s no quick fix, his collaboration with Boeing and the Air Force signals a push to get the iconic presidential planes back on track.


Elon Musk Steps In to Speed Up Delayed Air Force One Jets
https://www.99newz.com/posts/elon-musk-air-force-one-delay-3194
Author
99newz.com
Published at
2024-12-16
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CC BY-NC-SA 4.0