WASHINGTON - The U.S. Air Force is rolling out a new paint scheme across its executive airlift fleet, including the next-generation Air Force One aircraft, in a color palette of red, white, dark blue, and gold, the service announced on Feb. 17.
The new design marks a departure from the current white and two-tone blue livery dating to President John F. Kennedy's administration, and revives elements of former President Donald Trump's proposed red, white and blue scheme that was scrapped in 2022 after the Air Force determined darker colors could cause overheating issues.
The redesign will be applied to the VC-25B - the military designation for the Boeing BA.N 747-8i aircraft that will serve as Air Force One.
The Air Force One program involves converting two 747-8 aircraft into specialized jets equipped with advanced communications and defense systems to serve as the next generation of U.S. presidential air transport. That effort is four years behind schedule with delivery now expected in 2028.
As a stopgap, the U.S. government has tapped defense contractor L3Harris Technologies LHX.N, to overhaul a Boeing 747 formerly used by the Qatari government for use as an interim Air Force One.
