*Boeing CEO ‘embracing’ Elon Musk’s help with VC-25B Air Force One replacement* Boeing's CEO, Kelly Ortberg, has acknowledged the significant role Elon Musk is playing in addressing delays in the VC-25B Air Force One replacement program. Speaking at the Barclays Industrial Select Conference on February 20, 2025, Ortberg described Musk as a "brilliant guy" who is assisting Boeing in differentiating between essential technical requirements and removable obstacles, thereby accelerating the aircraft's delivery timeline. The collaboration comes in response to mounting frustrations from President Donald Trump regarding the prolonged delays in the Air Force One replacement project. Initially contracted in 2018 with a fixed price of $3.9 billion for two modified Boeing 747-8 aircraft, the project has faced multiple setbacks, pushing the expected delivery to at least 2027. These delays have resulted in Boeing incurring over $2 billion in losses. In light of these challenges, President Trump has publicly criticized Boeing's slow progress and has even suggested exploring alternative solutions, such as acquiring and retrofitting used aircraft. He recently inspected a luxury Boeing 747 previously owned by the Qatari royal family as a potential interim solution. Elon Musk's involvement, in his capacity as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), aims to streamline processes and eliminate non-essential constraints in the aircraft's development. Ortberg expressed optimism about this partnership, stating that Musk's insights are helping Boeing move faster to meet the President's expectations. Despite these efforts, concerns remain about further delays, with projections indicating that the aircraft may not be operational until 2029 or later. Boeing is expected to provide an updated schedule assessment in the spring of 2025.