Extreme Aircrafts - Air Force One
- 6 years ago
Air Force One is the official air traffic control call sign for a United States Air Force aircraft carrying the President of the United States.
The world's most famous aircraft, an 800,000-pound flying fortress that extends the power of the White House into the skies, just got a step closer to the assembly line.
On Tuesday, the Trump administration confirmed a handshake deal with Boeing for the next Air Force One and its twin decoy for $3.9 billion.
The current U.S. Air Force planes (VC-25A), which are highly modified Boeing 747-200 series aircraft, have served the presidency since 1990 as "airborne Oval Offices" and are quickly reaching the end of their lifespan.
"The Boeing 747-200 ceased production in 1987 and is no longer operated in the U.S. commercial passenger-carrying industry. The Air Force is the only remaining domestic operator," according to a U.S. Air Force statement.
What's more, the replacement parts for the current Air Force One jets are diminishing and therefore becoming an "ever-increasing problem that will continue to worsen."
"Obtaining and delivering two Presidential mission-ready 747-8s (VC-25B) is an important step to ensure enduring and global transportation for the President of the United States."
Under the Air Force's Presidential Aircraft Recapitalization program, the three-leveled leviathans will undergo modifications in 2019 and replace the current aging planes by 2024.
While the specific security details of the next presidential fleet are shrouded in secrecy, the U.S. Air Force says the modifications to the VC-25B will be similar to the current VC-25A capabilities, albeit with significant upgrades to navigation and communication platforms.
Here are a few features of the undisputed queen of the skies.
The aircraft's interior sprawls 4,000 square feet.
Air Force One has a conference room, dining room, an Oval Office, a bedroom and bathroom for the president, as well as offices for senior staff members.
The aircraft has a medical room and a separate operating room to handle medical emergencies.
Air Force One also comes with its own doctor.
The galley can produce prepare up to 2,000 meals.
The plane is equipped with encryption and scrambling devices for secure air-to-ground communication.
There are 85 phones for classified and unclassified use.
It features armored windows.
Each exit is equipped with its own staircase so that crew do not have to depend on foreign assets.
The new plane will be 18 feet and 2 inches longer, and will weigh 142,000 lbs more.
The world's most famous aircraft, an 800,000-pound flying fortress that extends the power of the White House into the skies, just got a step closer to the assembly line.
On Tuesday, the Trump administration confirmed a handshake deal with Boeing for the next Air Force One and its twin decoy for $3.9 billion.
The current U.S. Air Force planes (VC-25A), which are highly modified Boeing 747-200 series aircraft, have served the presidency since 1990 as "airborne Oval Offices" and are quickly reaching the end of their lifespan.
"The Boeing 747-200 ceased production in 1987 and is no longer operated in the U.S. commercial passenger-carrying industry. The Air Force is the only remaining domestic operator," according to a U.S. Air Force statement.
What's more, the replacement parts for the current Air Force One jets are diminishing and therefore becoming an "ever-increasing problem that will continue to worsen."
"Obtaining and delivering two Presidential mission-ready 747-8s (VC-25B) is an important step to ensure enduring and global transportation for the President of the United States."
Under the Air Force's Presidential Aircraft Recapitalization program, the three-leveled leviathans will undergo modifications in 2019 and replace the current aging planes by 2024.
While the specific security details of the next presidential fleet are shrouded in secrecy, the U.S. Air Force says the modifications to the VC-25B will be similar to the current VC-25A capabilities, albeit with significant upgrades to navigation and communication platforms.
Here are a few features of the undisputed queen of the skies.
The aircraft's interior sprawls 4,000 square feet.
Air Force One has a conference room, dining room, an Oval Office, a bedroom and bathroom for the president, as well as offices for senior staff members.
The aircraft has a medical room and a separate operating room to handle medical emergencies.
Air Force One also comes with its own doctor.
The galley can produce prepare up to 2,000 meals.
The plane is equipped with encryption and scrambling devices for secure air-to-ground communication.
There are 85 phones for classified and unclassified use.
It features armored windows.
Each exit is equipped with its own staircase so that crew do not have to depend on foreign assets.
The new plane will be 18 feet and 2 inches longer, and will weigh 142,000 lbs more.