Ultra-luxurious $400M jet gifted to the US government by Qatar uses a system far superior to normal 747s
Published on Jul 02, 2025 at 3:28 PM (UTC+4)
by Daisy Edwards
Last updated on Jul 03, 2025 at 4:13 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Emma Matthews
This ultra-luxurious $400m jet – a gift from Qatar to the US government – has a navigation system that’s far superior to normal 747s.
A lot of standard Boeing 747s rely on floppy disks for important navigational updates, which is incredibly old-school when you’re needing up-to-date information.
The ultra-luxurious Boeing 747 gifted by the Qatari royal family to the US government shows a different way that the iconic jets can be looked after and their navigational systems updated.
It’s crazy that in 2025, the majority of 747s use such an outdated piece of technology. But hopefully more will end up like this amazing jet.
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This ultra-luxurious $400m jet uses futuristic technology
It feels crazy to be discussing floppy disks in the year 2025. But if you’re a fan of retro technology, you’ll be pleased to know the majority of Boeing 747s still use it.
Every 28 days, a technician physically loads 12 or so floppy disks onto the 747s for the sole purpose of loading critical navigational updates.
The ultra-luxurious $400M jet gifted to the US government by Qatar uses a system far superior to normal 747s. And its navigational system is maintained and updated in a highly up-to-date technical way.
Only the best aboard Air Force One
The Qatari jet came fitted with a Teledyne Contrils’ Network File Server (NFS1). And it makes the periodic floppy disk ritual obsolete.
This is a very compact server that connects to the plane’s ethernet network that can be found internally. And while floppy disks can only hold 1.44 megabytes each, the NFS1 can hold up to 64 gigabytes of data.
As this is going to become the new Air Force One, having a highly adaptable digital server that can be updated in minutes is incredibly important for the US Government.
Turns out that even though this jet is ultra-luxurious, it is also ultra-high-tech, too.
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Daisy is a technology and automotive journalist covering artificial intelligence, consumer tech, Apple news, cryptocurrency, emerging technologies, and transportation innovation. Since joining the team in 2025, she has reported on everything from AI-powered startups and major iOS updates to viral car stories and the latest developments shaping transportation and the digital economy. Drawing on her background in automotive journalism and a degree in History and Journalism from Goldsmiths, University of London, Daisy specializes in breaking down complex topics into clear, engaging reporting for a global audience. Her work spans cutting-edge technology, innovative vehicles, and the people driving change across both industries. Daisy has gained first-hand access to some of the world's most talked-about technologies and innovators, including meeting Tesla's Optimus humanoid robot during its first European appearance in London. She has also discussed the future of space exploration with an astronaut, bringing unique insights and real-world perspectives to her coverage of emerging technology.
