A greater fighter range would help the Air Force reach targets in contested airspace in the Pacific, where refueling tankers may not be an option.
Lawmakers worry the expensive gift could create financial and legal issues for the Defense Department.
Former NRO deputy director Troy Meink will now run the Air and Space Forces as space becomes increasingly important to future wars.
Upgrading a Qatar-donated 747 into a new Air Force One would take a large sum of money and years to complete, aviation experts said.
