L3Harris hands over VC-25B aircraft to the US Air Force

MELBOURNE, Fla., June 19, 2026 — L3Harris Technologies has delivered the VC-25B Bridge aircraft to the U.S. Air Force, a milestone in efforts to modernize the Air Force One fleet.

The company said it converted a 747-8i into the first VC-25B in 10 months to maintain continuity of the Presidential Airlift mission as existing VC-25A aircraft age and next-generation platforms continue development. To meet the accelerated schedule, work ran around the clock across three shifts.

“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.”

The VC-25B is designed to serve the Office of the President as an airborne command post, featuring a new communications system for resilient, secure connectivity to manage global events without interruption.

L3Harris said the early delivery reflects its decision to invest ahead of formal demand so that capacity, talent and production readiness were available when needed.

Positioning itself as a global leader in aerospace integration and aircraft missionization, the company provides integrated solutions for head-of-state transport and VIP aircraft, equipping national leaders with actionable intelligence, secure communications and advanced protection systems. It describes its portfolio as end-to-end technology connecting space, air, land, sea and cyber domains in support of national security.