In 2015, the U.S. Air Force announced that it had selected Boeing to build the next generation of Air Force One aircraft. Two new aircraft will be built and will enter service in 2024. The defense department estimates that the two new planes will cost U.S. taxpayers an estimated $4 billion. In December 2016, President-elect Donald Trump announced that costs for the project were out of control and he would cancel the plane order once he took office. Proponents of the new planes argue that the current planes used for Air Force One will be fifty years old in 2021 and spare parts for the old planes are becoming hard to find.
@ISIDEWITH8yrs8Y
Yes
It is getting harder to find parts, and other places are modernizing their jets while we are using 50 year old jets.
@9FPR5VBRepublican 9mos9MO
The president has plenty of security and before we expand that, we must grapple with our national deficit. As long as it is cheaper to replace parts, we should not replace the entire plane.
@ISIDEWITH8yrs8Y
No, not until the cost ($4B) is dramatically reduced
The need to build new fighter jets, As the are becoming over 50 years old and oarts are getting hard to find.
@9FPVPR59mos9MO
I think with the advancement in technology, 50 years old jets needs to be modernized to be effective and efficient to meet the sophistications of the global modern developments.
@9FPVPR59mos9MO
Air Force One needs to be upgraded since a 50 year old technology may seem too old to function to meet the sophistication of modern technology.
@ISIDEWITH8yrs8Y
No, the current fleet is sufficient
@9FYPS5XTranshumanist8mos8MO
There is always room for improvement. No creation by man is perfect, and we must consistently innovate and advance what we have.
@8D7X8VBNew Liberty4yrs4Y
Yes, after a cost analysis that reveals it is less costly to produce new planes than maintaining the old planes.
I currently do not know enough information
Yes, but only if security demands it
@85QWNPG2yrs2Y
Yes , but use the current military spending budget to cover the cost.
If it needs to be upgraded for safety reasons
@9B8BFNG1yr1Y
They probably should, but at lowest reasonable cost.
@99MFTPG1yr1Y
Yes, the current fleet is insufficient
@97KSZBQ2yrs2Y
I think there are good arguments on both sides of this issue.
@9CFJ5BV12mos12MO
Yes, other countries are trying to take us over every day, and you don't learn that unless you work in security. We need to stay ahead of our enemies.
@93834YC2yrs2Y
Yes, and increase funding for aerial refueling
@8D53X8F4yrs4Y
Does it need to be upgraded?
@98W4MGVRepublican1yr1Y
Yes, but give a forewarning a year or two in advance so citizens are prepared somewhat.
@8R6DK2S3yrs3Y
No. It's a waste of money.
@8WJLFMT3yrs3Y
No, make sure all necessary equipment that is needed is provided, but some of the cost that put us in debt needs to be made up. If there is an emergency though we should upgrade to ensure we have all the newest technology and best things to use.
@8W467D23yrs3Y
Yes, it is very old and the president needs a safe place to fly and it probably costs more money to maintain it then to get a new one.
@8VJZD8Y3yrs3Y
Yes, but the $4 billion should come out of the military budget. Citizens should not have to pay the cost or the full cost of an aircraft that is not benefiting the people.
@8FNMW6N4yrs4Y
Yes, if the military officials believe the current fleet has outlived its useful life. The process should be competitively bid and overseen by the military with an independent but confidential oversight committee with expertise in aviation, security and technology.
@8F2XPXP4yrs4Y
They should upgrade it as necessary to remain the most technologically advanced and modern plane to protect the president should that be necessary.
@8SLVH7RConstitution3yrs3Y
Yes, but drastically more oversight is needed over military spending.
@8SB3TC63yrs3Y
No, not until we drastically reduce our deficit.
@8LLL7DT4yrs4Y
I think they should upgrade it for the highest technology when it comes out, but I don't think they should spend money on pointless things for it, when there are many other things that need financial support in the US.
@8K3YL524yrs4Y
Only if the upgrade is really needed and necessary.
Yes, but only if the nation can afford it.
@9NTZF7CIndependent7 days7D
Unless the maintenance is no longer capable of supporting good working order, replacement should not be necessary.
@9NSZQJD1wk1W
If there is some indication that Air Force One is insufficient in protecting the President then obviously, I support upgrading the aircraft, but as of right now from what I know about it. Air Force One is perfectly fine and therefore should not be upgraded.
@9MN7KMKRepublican4wks4W
Not until Joe Biden is out of office. In fact, Joe Biden should fly in a bi-plane with a loose propeller!
@9MN3J6G4wks4W
Yes, as long as they are spending a reasonable amount of money that won't put us in a harder economic situation.
@9MMLTQC4wks4W
Upgrade Air Force One if the old parts start to become more expensive than making new aircraft. Also, if it threatens our security.
@9MHD7WG1mo1MO
No, the current fleet is sufficient and $4 billion in U.S. taxes should go to improving where people live instead.
@9MH69Z41mo1MO
If either of the two current candidates are going to ride it, maybe do let Boeing build the new one. Wink wink.
@9M3KVCG1mo1MO
Air Force one should be of the very best. It protects our president. Still, at four billion dollars, I think that is a bit much.
@9M2XP6V2mos2MO
Yes, however the aircraft used should be smaller in size compared to the current aircraft (a Boeing 747-200B).
@9M2S3LZ2mos2MO
The Average citizen has know way to know if Air Force One is adequately fulfilling its mission. The full details of the mission should not be public knowledge.
@9LZW3862mos2MO
Only if it’s absolutely necessary for the safety of the passengers involved or security of information.
@9LTSFBPRepublican2mos2MO
Yes I do think it should be upgraded but using our current military budget we don't need extra for that, but with rising tensions and the fact other countries are growing we need to be the strongest
@9LMSY5F2mos2MO
No, the current fleet is sufficient and it is way to expensive. That is to much to ask of your citizens after taking almost as much from them every year as is.
@9LKZMRV2mos2MO
Air Force One is very secure, but when it comes to the safety of the leader of the country, it should be the most secure it can be.
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