Boeing VC-25

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This article is about the current aircraft used as Air Force One. For the history of the callsign, see Air Force One.

VC-25 "Air Force One"

Air Force One over Mount Rushmore.
Type	Presidential transport
Manufacturer	Boeing
Introduced	August 23, 1990 (No. 28000) December 23, 1990 (No. 29000)
Status	Active service
Primary user	United States Air Force
Produced	1990-1991
Number built	2
Unit cost	US$ 325 million
Developed from	Boeing 747
Variants	E-4B Nightwatch

The Boeing VC-25 is the designation of a United States Air Force passenger transportation aircraft, a military version of the Boeing 747. Since 1990, the presidential fleet has consisted of two specifically configured, highly customized Boeing 747-200B series aircraft—tail numbers 28000 and 29000.

Air Force One is the air traffic control call sign of any U.S. Air Force aircraft carrying the President of the United States. Since 1990, the presidential fleet has consisted of two specifically configured, highly customized Boeing 747-200B series aircraft—tail numbers 28000 and 29000—with Air Force designation VC-25A. While these planes are referred to as "Air Force One" only while the president is on board, the term is commonly used to describe either of the two aircraft normally used and maintained by the U.S. Air Force solely for the president.

The VC-25A is capable of flying 7,800 miles (12,600 km)—roughly one-third the distance around the world—without refueling and can accommodate more than 70 passengers. Before these planes entered service, two Boeing 707-320B-type aircraft—tail numbers 26000 and 27000—had operated as Air Force One starting in 1962. The Air Force designation for these aircraft was VC-137C. Since its inception, Air Force One has become a symbol of presidential power and prestige. Each VC-25A costs approximately US$325 million.

An Air Force aircraft carrying the Vice President is designated as Air Force Two. Occasionally, the Vice President, when travelling long distances will borrow one of the VC-25A's and the plane will fly as "Air Force Two." Subsequently, when the President needs to fly to locations that have runways too short for the VC-25A, the President will borrow one of the Boeing C-32's normally used for the Vice President. The C-32 will fly as "Air Force One" as the President is on board.

1 Development
2 Operation
3 Capability and features
4 Specifications (VC-25A)
5 Popular culture
6 Notes
7 Bibliography
- 7.1 Books
8 External links
9 Related content

[edit] Development

The fabrication of the current 747s began under Ronald Reagan's presidency. Most of the interior was completed in Wichita, Kansas.^{[citation needed]} The first aircraft was delivered in 1990, during the administration of George H. W. Bush. Delays were experienced to allow for additional work to protect the aircraft from electromagnetic pulse (EMP).^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Operation

These aircraft are maintained and operated as military operations by the Presidential Airlift Group, part of Air Mobility Command's 89th Airlift Wing, based at Andrews Air Force Base in Camp Springs, Maryland. For shorter distances, such as between Andrews AFB and the White House, the President is often flown in a U.S. Marine Corps Sikorsky VH-3D helicopter, called Marine One.

[edit] Capability and features

The VC-25A differ from the standard Boeing 747 in size, features, and security precautions. While Air Force One has three floors, like a regular Boeing 747, its interior has been reconfigured for presidential duties. The aircraft's 4,000 square feet (370 m²) of interior floor space include multiple modifications. The aircraft's lowest levels are mostly cargo space, carrying luggage and the onboard food supply. The plane has storage and freezer capacity to provide up to 2,000 meals when fully loaded. Meals are prepared in two galleys, which together are equipped to feed about 100 people at a time.

The main passenger area is on the second floor, and communications equipment and the cockpit are on the third floor. There are three entrances onboard, two on the lower and one on the main deck. Typically the president boards and deplanes from the front, main deck entrance via an airstair, while journalists and other passengers enter at the lower rear door. Facilities for the press and other passengers are configured like an ordinary airliner's first-class cabin.^[1]

On board Air Force One are medical facilities, including a fold-out operating table, emergency medical supplies, and a well-stocked pharmacy; President George W. Bush had a treadmill added to Air Force One during his term in office. Every flight is staffed by a doctor. There are separate quarters for guests, senior staff, Secret Service and security personnel, and the news media. The president's executive suite includes sleeping quarters with two couches that can be converted into beds, lavatory and shower, and private office. These offices, including the president's suite, are mostly located on the starboard, and a long corridor runs along the port. When Air Force One taxis to an airport's ramp for events, it comes to a stop with the left side of the aircraft facing gathered onlookers.^{[citation needed]}

Air Force One at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida on June 16, 2004.

In the office areas, Air Force One has photocopying, printing, and word processing services, as well as telecommunication systems (including 85 telephones and 19 televisions). There are also secure and non-secure voice, fax, and data communications facilities.

The planes can also be operated as a military command center in the event of an incident such as a nuclear attack. Operational modifications include aerial refueling capability and anti-aircraft missile countermeasures. The electronics on board are connected with approximately 238 miles (383 km) of wiring, twice that of a regular 747. All wiring is covered with heavy shielding for protection from an electromagnetic pulse in the event of a nuclear attack. The planes also have electronic countermeasures (ECMs) to jam enemy radar, flares to avoid heat-seeking missiles, and chaff to avoid radar-guided missiles. Many of Air Force One's other capabilities are classified for security reasons.

The VC-25A has also been used to transport deceased former presidents. The caskets of both Ronald Reagan (aboard SAM 28000) and Gerald Ford (aboard SAM 29000) were transported to and from Washington for their state funerals, and on to their final resting place aboard the VC-25A. The casket is placed within the mid - aft section of the 747 on the main deck, and enters/exits via the fourth door on the port side of the plane. Chairs in this area which normally serve as a staff cabin are removed and the casket is strapped down. A specially designed hydraulic lifter (similar to the type used by airline catering) with the presidential seal affixed to the sides lifts the casket up to the door to enter the 747.

[edit] Specifications (VC-25A)

Data from Boeing IDS^[2]

General characteristics

Crew: 26: three pilots, cabin crew
Capacity: 76 passengers
Length: 231 ft 5 in (70.6 m)
Wingspan: 195 ft 8 in (59.6 m)
Height: 63 ft 5 in (19.3 m)
Zero fuel weight: 526,500 lb (238,800 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 833,000 lb (375,000 kg)
Powerplant: 4× General Electric CF6-80C2B1 turbofans, 56,700 lbf (250 kN) each

Performance

Maximum speed: .92 Mach (630 mph, 1,015 km/h) at altitude
Range: 6,800 nm (7,800 mi, 13,000 km) unrefueled
Service ceiling: 45,100 ft (13,700 m)

[edit] Popular culture

Main article: Air Force One in popular culture

The VC-25 "Air Force One" is a prominent symbol of the American presidency and its power; with the White House and presidential seal, it is one of the most familiar presidential symbols. Air Force One has often appeared in popular culture and fiction, most notably as the setting of the 1997 action movie Air Force One.

[edit] Notes

^ Harris, Tom. How Air Force One Works. HowStuffWorks.com Accessed October 10, 2006.
^ Air Force One Technical Specs. Boeing: Integrated Defense Systems. Retrieved on 2006-10-23.

[edit] Bibliography

[edit] Books

Albertazzie, Ralph, and Jerald F. Terhorst. Flying White House: The Story of Air Force One. Book Sales: 1979. ISBN 0-698-10930-9.
Braun, David. Q&A: U.S. Presidential Jet Air Force One. National Geographic News, May 29, 2003
Dorr, Robert F. Air Force One. Motorbooks International: 2002. ISBN 0-7603-1055-6.
Hardesty, Von. Air Force One: The Aircraft that Shaped the Modern Presidency. Northword Press: 2003. ISBN 1-55971-894-3.
Harris, Tom. How Air Force One Works. HowStuffWorks.com Accessed October 10, 2006.
Technical Order 00-105E-9, Segment 9, Chapter 7 [1]
United States Air Force. Air Force One Fact Sheet. July 2003.
Walsh, Kenneth T. Air Force One: A History of the Presidents and Their Planes. Hyperion: 2003. ISBN 1-4013-0004-9.