VC-25B
Abstract
The VC-25B Program, formerly known as the Presidential Aircraft Recapitalization (PAR) Program, will replace the Presidential VC-25A fleet which faces capability gaps, rising maintenance costs, and parts obsolescence as it ages beyond 30 years. The VC-25B Program Office will deliver a new fleet of aircraft to meet the requirements for the President to execute the duties of Head of State, Chief Executive, and Commander-in-Chief. The VC-25B Program will uniquely modify two Boeing 747-8 commercial aircraft to provide the President, staff, and guests with safe and reliable air transportation with the equivalent level of communications capability and security available in the White House. The modifications to the 747-8 aircraft will include an electrical power upgrade with dual Auxiliary Power Units that are usable in flight, a mission communication system, a work and rest environment, an executive interior, military avionics, a self-defense system, autonomous enplaning and deplaning, and autonomous baggage loading. No significant changes to the existing VC-25A Concept of Operations or Concept of Employment are expected. In August 2012, the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics (USD(AT&L)) approved the VC-25B Materiel Development Decision. The Capability Development Document (CDD) was validated by the Joint Requirements Oversight Council in November 2014. In January 2015, the Secretary of the Air Force's Determination and Findings designated the Boeing 747-8 aircraft as the airframe platform, and the USD (AT&L)'s Acquisition Decision Memorandum authorized Pre-Milestone B (Pre-MS B) contracts aimed at improving affordability and reducing program execution risk. In February 2015, the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition approved a Justification and Approval designating Boeing as the sole source for Pre-MS B activities; and Post-MS B design, integration, modification, and test activities. USD(AT&L) approved the initial acquisition strategy in September 2015. MS B certification occurred in September 2016. In March 2017, the White House reaffirmed the minimum set of requirements necessary to meet Presidential mission needs; these requirements are codified in the March 2017 CDD. Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment (USD(A&S)) approved the updated acquisition strategy and the Acquisition Program Baseline (APB) in December 2018. This budget supports Post-MS B design, integration, modification, and test of two aircraft to make them Presidential mission ready. In FY18 and FY19, the program continued Preliminary Design (PD) and awarded the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) contract modification. In FY20, the program will continue EMD activities to include design, integration, modification, and test, as well as begin Product Support (PS) activities. Funds may be used to address emerging and short-notice Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortage (DMSMS) issues. This program element includes necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver the VC-25B system capability. The use of such program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program elements 0605826F, 0605827F, 0605828F, 0605829F, 0605830F, 0605831F, 0605832F, and 0605898F. As directed in the FY 2018 NDAA, Sec 825, amendment to PL 114-92 FY 2016 NDAA, Sec 828 Penalty for Cost Overruns, the FY 2018 Air Force penalty total is $14.373M. The calculated percentage reduction to each research, development, test and evaluation and procurement account will be allocated proportionally from all programs, projects, or activities under such account. This program is in Budget Activity 5, System Development and Demonstration (SDD) because it has passed Milestone B approval and is conducting engineering and manufacturing development tasks aimed at meeting validated requirements prior to full rate production.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2020
- Source ID
- 655250_0401319F_5_3600_PB_2020
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