L3Harris Technologies (NYSE: LHX) has delivered the VC-25B Bridge aircraft to the U.S. Air Force, marking a significant milestone in the modernization of the Air Force One fleet. L3Harris transformed a 747-8i aircraft into the first VC-25B within 10 months, ensuring continuity of the Presidential Airlift mission as the current VC-25A aircraft age and next-generation aircraft remain under development. To meet this accelerated timeline, the team moved with urgency across three shifts with around-the-clock operations, demonstrating the depth, discipline and commitment required to deliver for the customer. The VC-25B provides the Office of the President with an airborne command post equipped with a new communications system that enables resilient, secure connectivity to respond to global events without disruption. This unprecedented delivery reflects L3Harris’ decision to invest early in the program — ahead of formal demand — so that capacity, talent and production readiness were in place when the customer needed them. As a global leader in aerospace integration and aircraft missionization, L3Harris delivers high-performance, integrated solutions for head-of-state transport and VIP aircraft worldwide. The company equips national leaders with actionable intelligence, secure communications and advanced protection systems to support no-fail missions.
The Boeing VC-25B Bridge is a military conversion of a single Boeing 747-8 airliner, intended to serve as an interim Air Force One presidential transport to complement the United States Air Force’s aging VC-25A fleet. Originally built as a Boeing Business Jet, the aircraft was delivered to Qatar Amiri Flight in April 2012 and used by the House of Thani. In June 2023, it was delivered to Global Jet Isle of Man. The U.S. federal government acquired the plane as a gift from the Qatari government in 2025, with modifications for its new role being carried out by L3Harris. On June 19, 2026, the completed aircraft was officially unveiled at Joint Base Andrews ahead of undergoing commissioning flights. The aircraft is expected to be used by U.S. President Donald Trump and transferred to his presidential library foundation shortly before the end of his second term.
“Through a trusted, fast-tracked partnership with the Air Force, we have proven that the U.S. defense industrial base can move at maximum velocity when the mission demands it,” said Christopher Kubasik, Chairman and CEO, L3Harris. “L3Harris rose to the challenge, and we are deeply honored to deliver to the Commander-in-Chief a symbol of American strength that meets the nation’s highest standards without compromise.”
L3Harris Technologies, Inc. is an American technology company, defense contractor, and information technology services provider that produces products for command and control systems, wireless equipment, tactical radios, avionics and electronic systems, night vision equipment, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C3ISR) systems and products, ocean systems, instrumentation, navigation products, training devices and services, and both terrestrial/spaceborne antennas for use in the government, defense, and commercial sectors. The company was formed from the merger of L3 Technologies and Harris Corporation on June 29, 2019, which made it the sixth-largest defense contractor in the United States.
