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   US President Trump is having a Boeing 747-8 that used to fly for the Qatari   
   royal family converted into a presidential aircraft. The jumbo jet, an interim   
   solution until the much-delayed new Air Force One aircraft enter service, is   
   expected to be put into service in the fall. Defense company L3Harris has been   
   hired for the project, sources told the Wall Street Journal and Reuters news   
   agency.   
       
   The aircraft would serve as a supplement to the two vintage Boeing 747-200s   
   that currently fly as Air Force One. These aircraft now require a lot of   
   maintenance due to their advanced age. Compared to the latter aircraft, the   
   ex-Qatar 747 will have a lower security level and will therefore not be   
   suitable for all presidential trips.   
       
   The US government has been having two other 747-8s converted by Boeing for   
   years to replace the current Air Force One aircraft. However, that project has   
   been delayed for many years, which means that they will now be delivered in   
   2029 at the earliest and, according to sources, probably not until next   
   decade. Boeing is struggling with the complex safety systems and wiring, among   
   other things.   
       
   Trump, whose second and final term runs until early 2029, is very frustrated   
   about the delays and is said to have chosen the ex-Qatar 747 as an interim   
   solution. But it is not just Trump's wish: the US Air Force has also wanted a   
   third aircraft as a backup for the two regular Air Force One aircraft for some   
   time.   
       
   The chosen plane already has a luxurious interior, but still needs adjustments   
   to the security and communication systems. The Qatari Royal family flew the   
   aircraft over to Miami so Trump could have a look.   
      
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