The Qatari Royal Family has listed a lavishly-fitted Boeing 747-8i on the market. The aircraft, registered A7-HBJ, is being sold with a mere
1069 total hours. Check out the ultra luxurious finishing of this plane.
The aircraft is being sold by AMAC Aerospace in Zurich, where it has been parked since June, according to fleet data. Despite owning an additional two private B747's, neither the seller or Royal Family have provided any clarification as to why the aircraft is being sold. The same family previously sold a similarly-equipped B747-8 to Morocco in 2018.
The aircraft's seller does not detail specific security systems. However, the US Department of Defence gave Northrop Grumman approval to sell missile defence systems for B747-8i aircraft. In the report, published by FlightGlobal in September 2019, Northrop Grumman sought approval for the installation of its LAIRCM system; in which incoming homing missiles are detected and deterred with a strong laser.
This advanced system was purchased by the US Air Force in the months prior to the sale to the Qatari Royal Family. The US aquired the system for $200 million, for an unknown number of aircraft. The LAICRM system is installed on over 1,500 aircraft worldwide.
AMAC Aerospace has not provided an exact price for the aircraft, likely owing to the high-profile current ownership status. A basic B747-8i will cost $418.4 million, however, this aircraft will likely retail for close to double that price.
Article Sources: The Drive and AMAC Aerospace
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