Commercial airliner could be converted for military missions
The U.S. Air Force is planning to acquire a Boeing 737 MAX to expand its fleet of aircraft used to transport senior government officials. If completed, the purchase could mark the first time the Boeing jetliner is procured for military operations.
The plan follows the authorization of $250 million in the fiscal 2026 National Defense Authorization Act to expand the capabilities of the C-40 fleet. The Air Force uses the C-40 designation for earlier versions of the 737 that have been modified for military executive airlift.
The service has not yet disclosed the expected purchase price or the aircraft’s delivery schedule.
Potential boost for Boeing amid production challenges
The purchase could provide an important opportunity for Boeing as the company works to increase production of the 737 MAX. The aircraft family remains one of Boeing’s main sources of revenue, but manufacturing growth has been slower than expected.
The 737 MAX has faced a troubled history since two crashes in 2018 and 2019 led regulators to ground the aircraft worldwide for more than a year. In January 2024, a door plug separated from a 737 MAX during flight, triggering another crisis for Boeing and renewed regulatory scrutiny.
Air Force has not selected a specific variant
The Air Mobility Command has not identified which version of the 737 MAX it wants to purchase. However, in July, the command sought information from industry regarding flight-training services involving the 737-8 MAX, suggesting that variant may be under consideration.
Once acquired, the aircraft would likely be modified for military operations. The conversion could involve the installation of secure communications systems, warning equipment and defensive countermeasures.
Growing pressure on the C-40 and C-32 fleets
The Air Force currently operates both the C-40 and C-32 for executive airlift missions. The C-32 is primarily reserved for transporting the five highest-ranking officials: the vice president, the first spouse, the secretary of defense, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the secretary of state.
The C-40 can also perform missions normally assigned to the C-32 fleet. Demand for both aircraft has increased in recent years, placing additional strain on the service’s executive airlift capacity.
737 is the only available U.S.-built option
Congress previously rejected an Air Force request to expand the C-40 fleet. At the time, military officials argued that additional C-40 aircraft could supplement the C-32 fleet, which lacked sufficient capacity to meet the travel requirements of the nation’s top officials.
The C-32 is based on the Boeing 757, but that aircraft is no longer in production. As a result, the Boeing 737 is the only U.S.-built, commercially available narrowbody jetliner that could be used to expand executive airlift capacity.
By converting a 737 MAX for military service, the Air Force could obtain a modern platform for official transport missions, while Boeing would gain a contract capable of strengthening the company’s most important commercial aircraft program.
