The U.S. Air Force will buy a Boeing 737 MAX to expand its C-40 VIP transport fleet, using $250 million authorised under the fiscal 2026 defence budget. Air Mobility Command confirmed the plan, which would make the service one of the first military operators of the 737 MAX family.
The procurement is tied to Air Mobility Command’s executive airlift requirement rather than a broader transport programme. The exact variant has not been identified, although a July training solicitation referred to the 737-8 MAX and sought specialised differences training for existing Air Force 737 pilots. The contract for that training is due to take effect on 1 November, with the current contractor already cleared to teach MAX differences in the interim.
No delivery timeline has been set. The acquisition would extend the C-40 fleet, which is based on earlier 737 models, into the MAX generation for the first time. Boeing has previously explored a MAX sale for the mission, but the effort did not proceed until the latest funding approval.