Boeing’s Air Force One production is facing continued delays because the manufacturer can’t consistently hire and retain mechanics

The Pentagon told the legislature auditors that “ongoing plan issues, modification rework, and workforce challenges slowed the advancement toward modifying 2 Boeing 747-8 craft into statesmanlike aircraft,” a study released Wednesday said.

The United States, nether President Donald Trump, signed a $3.9 cardinal declaration with Boeing successful 2018 to person 2 planes designed, modified, and tested to service arsenic Air Force One by 2024, but persistent delays person pushed the task past its transportation date.

In bid for the craft to conscionable Air Force One specifications, Boeing needs to heavy modify the jets to conscionable question and top-level information needs, which has slowed down the accumulation process considerably. Trump has dropped a request for the VC-25B planes to person air-to-air flying capabilities, which would let them to person substance from a tanker craft portion successful flight.

Progress connected the craft has stalled arsenic a effect of issues astir decompression and the biology power strategy design, and Boeing’s incomplete certification plans and craft plan person besides pushed backmost the timetable for testing, the GAO said. The craft shaper has besides been incapable to support a dependable workforce for the project.

“Boeing inactive faces challenges hiring and retaining qualified mechanics owed to ongoing marketplace conditions, according to VC-25B officials,” the study said. “Program officials said that support rates for mechanics to get indispensable clearances stay a workforce limitation.”

Last fall, Boeing announced plans to laic disconnected 10% of its workforce, contempt industrywide endowment shortages.

As Boeing tries to propulsion done its scheduling woes, Trump has alternatively procured a $400 cardinal Boeing 474 from Qatar aft threatening successful February to find alternatives to the VC-25B project. The talented Qatari pitchy has not lone raised ethical and information concerns, but it volition apt outgo taxpayers $1 cardinal to work and update the pitchy to Air Force One standards.