The service announced the delivery of the Qatari-donated aircraft to Joint Base Andrews on Friday and the kickoff of its commissioning flights.
The interim Air Force One VC-25B Bridge aircraft is undergoing its final modifications ahead of a summer rollout.
The list includes Northrop Grumman and several startups competing to supply low-cost payloads compatible with any drone design.
Last week, a T-38 Talon II aircraft had a "mishap" that resulted in the ejection of two pilots in Alabama.
