Boeing(US:BA) Xin Hua Wang·2025-05-22 07:14Core Viewpoint - The U.S. Department of Defense has officially accepted a Boeing 747-8 luxury aircraft gifted by Qatar, which will be upgraded for use as a presidential aircraft for Donald Trump [1][2]. Group 1: Aircraft Details - The aircraft is a Boeing 747-8, which is the largest and latest version of the 747 series, compared to the current Air Force One, a Boeing VC-25A, which is a military version of the 747-200B [10][12]. - The new aircraft was manufactured in 2012 and features modern engines with energy-saving capabilities, while the current Air Force One has been in service since 1990 and has undergone upgrades [11]. - The estimated value of the Qatar-gifted aircraft is approximately $400 million, while the current Air Force One is valued at $325 million [12]. Group 2: Political and Legal Implications - The acceptance of the aircraft has sparked controversy in U.S. politics, with critics arguing that it constitutes a significant foreign gift that may violate constitutional regulations regarding gifts to federal officials [5]. - Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer described the acceptance of the aircraft as the largest foreign bribe in U.S. history, raising concerns about legal and security implications [5]. - Trump has stated that he sees no moral issue with accepting the aircraft, calling it "stupid" to refuse such a gift [6]. Group 3: Upgrade and Modification Plans - The U.S. Air Force has been tasked with quickly upgrading the aircraft to meet safety and communication standards, with L3 Harris Technologies selected for the modification [2][8]. - The aircraft will undergo enhancements to ensure it meets appropriate safety measures and functional requirements for presidential use [2].