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 Defense Acquisition Executive (DAE), as the VC-25B Milestone Decision Authority, approved the 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 DAE'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. The DAE 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. The DAE 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 FY19, the program completed Preliminary Design (PD) and continued the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) initial activities including design and integration. In FY20 and FY21, 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 lease test equipment, as well as address emerging and short-notice Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortage (DMSMS) issues. This program element may include 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 element 0605831F. This program is in Budget Activity 5, System Development an Demonstration (SDD); however, it will not enter full rate production as stated below. 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, 2021
• Source ID: 655250_0401319F_5_3600_PB_2021

Tags

Fields of Study

• Engineering

Readers

• Aerospace Engineering
• Civilian Systems Systems Program Capability Development and Upgrade Support Activity Expense and Pay Management.
• Defense Acquisition Program Management