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Boeing VC-25

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The Boeing VC-25 is a military version of the Boeing 747 airliner, modified for presidential transport and commonly operated by the United States Air Force (USAF) as Air Force One, the call sign of any U.S. Air Force aircraft carrying the president of the United States.

VC-25
VC-25A 28000 over Mount Rushmore in February 2001
General information
TypePresidential transport
National originUnited States
ManufacturerBoeing
StatusIn service (VC-25A)
In development (VC-25B)
Primary userUnited States Air Force
Number built2 (VC-25A)
History
Manufactured1986–1990 (VC-25A)
Introduction date23 August 1990 (VC-25A)
First flight16 May 1987 (VC-25A)
Developed fromVC-25A: Boeing 747-200B
VC-25B: Boeing 747-8I

Only two examples of this aircraft type are in service; they are highly modified Boeing 747-200Bs, designated VC-25A and having tail numbers 28000 and 29500. Although technically the Air Force One designation applies to the aircraft only while the president is on board, the term is commonly used to refer to the VC-25 in general. The two aircraft often operate in conjunction with Marine One helicopters, which ferry the president to airports whenever a vehicle motorcade would be inappropriate. Two new aircraft, based on the Boeing 747-8I and designated VC-25B, have been ordered by the USAF to replace the aging VC-25As.

Development

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By 1985, the pair of Boeing 707-based VC-137s used as the presidential aircraft had been in service for 23 and 13 years respectively, and the USAF began searching for an eventual replacement. The Request for Proposal issued stated that the aircraft to be selected should have at least three engines and an unrefueled range of at least 6,000 miles (9,700 km). Both Boeing with its 747 and McDonnell Douglas with the DC-10 were in competition to be selected, with the Boeing entry the eventual winner.[1] The fabrication of the current 747s began during the presidency of Ronald Reagan (1981–1989).

The VC-25s were completed in 1986 and first flew in 1987.[2] The interior designs were created by First Lady Nancy Reagan, who used designs reminiscent of the American Southwest.[3] Problems with interior wiring for communication systems delayed delivery of the two aircraft until 1990,[2] during the administration of George H. W. Bush.

The Air Force reported that the operating cost for each VC-25A in 2014 was $210,877 (~$267,357 in 2023) per hour.[4]

Design and configuration

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President Barack Obama meets with Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, aboard Air Force One en route to Cleveland, Ohio, March 2010.
 
The first family's private quarters. The couches can fold out into beds.
 
The aircraft's port-side (left) corridor. The two chairs are typically occupied by Secret Service agents.

The VC-25 is capable of flying 7,800 miles (12,600 km)—roughly one-third the distance around the world—without refueling. The VC-25A can accommodate more than 70 passengers.[5] Each VC-25A cost approximately $325 million. While the VC-25 has two main decks and a cargo area, like a regular Boeing 747, its 4,000 square feet (370 m2) of floor space has been reconfigured for presidential duties. Its lowest level is mostly cargo space, carrying luggage and the onboard food supply. The main passenger area is on the second floor or main deck.[6] The upper deck contains the cockpit and the communications center.

Typically, the president boards and disembarks from the front, main deck entrance using a mobile stairway, while journalists and other passengers enter at the rear door of the main deck.[7] However, the aircraft also has built-in airstairs that lead to the lower deck, typically used when security concerns make the use of a mobile stairway impractical.[8]

The "White House"

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The front section of the aircraft is informally called the "White House", a reference to the president's official residence in Washington, D.C.[6] The president's executive suite includes sleeping quarters with two couches that can be converted into beds, lavatory and shower, vanity, double sink, and a private office, or the president's "Oval Office aboard Air Force One". If necessary, the president can address the nation from the office. This capability was added after the September 11 attacks, during which the aircraft had to land at Barksdale Air Force Base for President George W. Bush to address the nation.[9] These offices, including the president's suite, are mostly located on the starboard (right) side, and a long corridor runs along the port (left) side. The aircraft also contains a conference room, originally designed as a situation room, but now used for meeting with staff while traveling. This room includes a 50-inch plasma screen television which can be used for teleconferencing. The aircraft has fully equipped office areas with telecommunication systems (including 87 telephones and 19 televisions).[6]

On board the VC-25 is a medical annex, which includes a fold-out operating table, emergency medical supplies, and a well-stocked pharmacy. George W. Bush had a treadmill added to Air Force One during his term in office. Every flight is staffed by a doctor and nurse. The aircraft is self-sufficient, such as carrying all the food it will need. Meals are prepared in two galleys, which together are equipped to feed up to 100 people at a time.[6] The president gets a personal menu. An area where guests sit is near the center of the aircraft, outside the "White House".[6]

There are separate quarters for guests, senior staff, Secret Service and Air Force security personnel assigned to the plane, and the news media located in the aft area of the main deck. Protocol states that one may wander aft of one's assigned seat, but not forward of it.[6] Communications equipment and the cockpit are on the upper deck. There are also secure and non-secure voice, fax and data communications facilities.[6] While the aircraft's luggage capacity is adequate to carry the belongings of the passengers, the logistics train of the president means that the aircraft must fly preceded by an aerial convoy of several cargo transports, which carry the helicopters, motorcade vehicles, and other equipment required by the presidential entourage.[6]

Operational history

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VC-25A

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The VC-25A replaced the VC-137C (a military version of the Boeing 707) as the mainstay of the Air Force One fleet. On some occasions, the VC-25s serve as transport for the US vice president, for which service they use the Air Force Two call sign. The VC-25A aircraft are maintained and operated as military operations by the Presidential Airlift Group, part of Air Mobility Command's 89th Airlift Wing, based at Joint Base Andrews in Camp Springs, Maryland.

The aircraft 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[10] and countermeasures against anti-aircraft missiles. 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 a nuclear electromagnetic pulse in the event of a nuclear attack. The aircraft also has electronic countermeasures (ECMs) (AN/ALQ-204 Matador) to jam enemy radar, flares to avoid heat-seeking missiles, and chaff to avoid radar-guided missiles.[11][12] All small arms and ammunition stores not in the physical possession of the Secret Service and Air Force security personnel on board the VC-25s are stowed and secured in separate locked compartments, each with a different locking mechanism for added security. Many of the VC-25's other capabilities are classified for security reasons.

There has been at least one instance of a VC-25A carrying the president of the United States without using the Air Force One call sign, when President George W. Bush went on a secret flight (with the "Gulf Stream Five" call sign) to meet with troops in Iraq on Thanksgiving, on November 27, 2003.[13]

After a presidential inauguration resulting in a change in office, the outgoing president is provided transport on a VC-25 aircraft to their home destination. The aircraft for this flight does not use the Air Force One call sign because it is not carrying the president in office. For both Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, the flight was known as Special Air Mission 28000, where the number represents the aircraft's tail number.[14][15]

 
The casket of President Gerald Ford being lowered from the cabin of SAM 29500 at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, 2006.

The VC-25As have also been used to transport deceased former presidents, as the guest area aft of "the White House" has chairs and tables that can be removed and the casket laid in their place.[6] The bodies of Ronald Reagan, Gerald Ford, and George H.W. Bush were transported to Washington for their state funerals, and then on to their final resting places. Colonel Mark Tillman, pilot for President George W. Bush, said, "We'll take care of the president from basically when he's in office to when he lays in state."[6] For the funeral of President Ronald Reagan in 2004, Tillman said that the crew converted the front of the aircraft to look the way it would have appeared when Reagan was president; President and Nancy Reagan's Air Force One jackets were placed on the chairs to "make them feel at home".[6] 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 portside aft door to enter the VC-25A. The tradition of placing the caskets in the passenger cabin dates back to the assassination of John F. Kennedy, when the crew did not want the president's body placed in the cargo hold,[16] and again during the state funeral of Lyndon B. Johnson.[17]

The two VC-25As are slated for retirement, the first in 2027, and the second in 2028.[citation needed]

VC-25B

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Illustration of the VC-25B color scheme announced March 2023

The VC-25A aircraft are aging and have become less cost-effective to operate. The USAF Air Mobility Command investigated possible replacements, with early press coverage suggesting that the USAF would consider the Boeing 747-8 and the Airbus A380.[18] On 7 January 2009, Air Force Materiel Command issued a new Sources Sought notice for a replacement aircraft to enter service by 2017 with an additional two aircraft to follow in 2019 and 2021.[19] On 28 January 2009, EADS North America representing EADS and its Airbus division confirmed it would not respond to the US Air Force notice, as assembling only three airplanes in the US would not make financial sense.[20] This made Boeing the only aircraft manufacturer interested in supplying the replacement aircraft,[21] and was reported to be exploring a 787 option also.[22] On 28 January 2015, the Air Force announced the selection of the Boeing 747-8 to replace the aging VC-25A for presidential transport.[23][24]

On 10 May 2016, the Air Force posted online an amendment to its Air Force One contract authorizing Boeing to begin preliminary design activities. This version of the contract synopsis confirmed that the government will buy two modified 747-8 aircraft. Boeing was awarded a contract in January 2016 to identify cost reduction opportunities in areas including maintenance, aerial refueling and communications.[25][26] On 15 July 2016, Boeing received another contract for pre-engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) risk-reduction to address "system specification, the environmental control system, the aircraft interior, the electrical and power system and sustainment and maintenance approaches" to reduce development risks and life-cycle costs.[27]

 
One of the two 747-8I aircraft that will be converted into the VC-25B, seen in July 2015 shortly after construction.

On 1 August 2017, Defense One reported that in an effort to pay less for the replacement program, the USAF entered into a contract to purchase two 747-8 Intercontinental (747-8I) jets from Boeing, which had originally been ordered in 2011 by Transaero, a Russian airline. Before they could be delivered, the company filed for bankruptcy and was closed down; the two aircraft were stored at Southern California Logistics Airport in the Mojave Desert to prevent corrosion. On 27 February 2018, the White House announced a US$3.9 billion (~$4.66 billion in 2023) agreement with Boeing to modify the two unsold 747-8s to replace the current VC-25As. The new aircraft will be designated VC-25B.[28] These aircraft are to be retrofitted with telecommunications and security equipment to bring them to the required security level for the presidential aircraft.[29] In April 2022, Boeing's CEO Dave Calhoun revealed that he expects the company to have a loss of $660 million on the VC-25B program, after the contract was renegotiated by President Trump.[30]

In June 2019, President Trump announced his plans to revamp the VC-25's livery from the traditional white and ultramarine shades to one of red, white, and blue.[31][32] This would have been the first deviation from the Raymond Loewy livery scheme since it was introduced in 1962 on the VC-137C which was first used as Air Force One during the Kennedy administration.[33] The Biden administration abandoned the new design, citing "additional engineering, as well as increased time and cost."[34][35] A modified version of the traditional scheme was announced in March 2023.[36][35]

The 747s began undergoing modification work at Boeing's San Antonio facility in 2020.[37] According to The Wall Street Journal, the development process has been hit by multiple "production mishaps", including the discovery of empty tequila mini-bottles on one of the aircraft, and the use of jacks that were not rated to support the weight of the aircraft. While the jacking did not result in damage to the planes, "the Pentagon's contractor-management agency formally requested Boeing improve its operations."[38]

While the initial delivery date was set to 2024, the Pentagon expects the jets to be two to three years late,[34] with the Air Force projecting delivery of the first VC-25B in 2027, and the other in 2028, as of a 2023 press release.[36] Once the new aircraft are delivered, the VC-25As will be retired and placed in museums.[39]

Variants

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Boeing VC-25 Air Force One video
VC-25A
based on the Boeing 747-200B
VC-25B
based on the Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental

Operators

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  United States

Specifications (VC-25A)

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Data from Boeing BDS[40]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 26: flight crew (pilot, co-pilot, flight engineer, navigator),[2] cabin crew, communications, maintenance, and security
  • Capacity: 76 passengers
  • Length: 231 ft 10 in (70.66 m)
  • Wingspan: 196 ft 8 in (59.94 m)
  • Height: 63 ft 5 in (19.33 m)
  • Max takeoff weight: 833,000 lb (377,842 kg)
  • Powerplant: 4 × General Electric CF6-80C2B1 turbofan engines, 56,700 lbf (252 kN) thrust each

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 547.5 kn (630.1 mph, 1,014.0 km/h) at 35,000 ft (10,668 m)
  • Maximum speed: Mach 0.92
  • Cruise speed: 500 kn (580 mph, 930 km/h) / M0.84 at 35,000 ft (10,668 m)
  • Range: 6,800 nmi (7,800 mi, 12,600 km)
  • Service ceiling: 45,100 ft (13,700 m)

Notable appearances in media

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Main article: Aircraft in fiction § Boeing 747

The VC-25 "Air Force One" is a prominent symbol of the U.S. presidency and its powers; with the White House and presidential seal, it is among the most recognized presidential symbols.[41] Air Force One has often appeared in popular culture and fiction, including the setting of the 1997 action movie Air Force One where the aircraft had an escape pod and a parachute ramp, unlike the actual presidential aircraft.[42]

See also

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Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References

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Notes
  1. ^ Thomas, H. "U.S. considers Air Force One from Airbus." Archived 6 April 2009 at the Wayback Machine heraldnet.com, 17 January 2009. Retrieved: 26 June 2009.
  2. ^ a b c Jenkins 2000, pp. 55–56.
  3. ^ Williams, Rudi. "Reagan Makes First, Last Flight in Jet He Ordered." Archived 8 April 2016 at the Wayback Machine U.S. Department of Defense, 10 June 2004. Retrieved: 28 July 2013.
  4. ^ Butler, Amy, and Guy Norris, "Foregone Conclusion", Aviation Week and Space Technology, 9 June 2014, pp. 40-41.
  5. ^ "VC-25 - Air Force One". Air Force. Archived from the original on 17 January 2024. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Wallace, Chris (host). "Aboard Air Force One." Fox News, 24 November 2008. Retrieved: 28 November 2008.
  7. ^ Harris, Tom. "How Air Force One Works." Archived 13 April 2010 at the Wayback Machine HowStuffWorks.com. Retrieved: 10 October 2006.
  8. ^ Keith, Tamara (31 August 2023). "Why Biden is now routinely taking the short stairs up to Air Force One". National Public Radio. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  9. ^ Stebner, Greg (narrator). "On Board Air Force One." Archived 3 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine National Geographic Channel, 25 January 2009. Retrieved: 26 June 2009.
  10. ^ "Air Force One: The President's office in the sky". The White House. Archived from the original on 12 August 2022. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
  11. ^ Cenciotti, David (23 October 2018). "These Are The Systems that Protect Air Force One From Heat-Seeking Missiles". The Aviationist. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  12. ^ "AN/ALQ-204 Matador Infrared Countermeasure (IRCM)". www.globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  13. ^ "Bush trip to Baghdad kept top-secret". NBC News. 28 November 2003. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  14. ^ Felsenthal, Carol. "When Bill Clinton Left the White House" Archived 22 December 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Chicago Daily Observer, 22 January 2009. Retrieved: 26 June 2009.
  15. ^ "Bush flies to Texas to begin post-presidential life." Archived 21 August 2017 at the Wayback Machine The New York Times, 20 January 2009. Retrieved: 9 September 2011.
  16. ^ Bernstein, Adam (29 April 2006). "Col. James Swindal; Piloted Air Force One After Kennedy's Death". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 13 November 2012. Retrieved 16 August 2011.
  17. ^ Foley, Thomas (25 January 1973). "Thousands in Washington Brave Cold to Say Goodbye to Johnson". Los Angeles Times. p. A1.
  18. ^ "US considers Airbus A380 as Air Force One and potentially a C-5 replacement". Flight Global. 17 October 2007. Archived from the original on 11 April 2016. Retrieved 27 March 2016.
  19. ^ "USAF Presidential Aircraft Recapitalization (PAR) Program." Archived 31 March 2019 at the Wayback Machine USAF Materiel Command, 7 January 2009. Retrieved: 8 January 2009.
  20. ^ "EADS waves off bid for Air Force One replacement". Flight Global. 28 January 2009. Archived from the original on 19 March 2016. Retrieved 27 March 2016.
  21. ^ "USAF Presidential Aircraft Recapitalization (PAR) Program, Interested Vendors List." Archived 17 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine USAF Materiel Command, 7 January 2009. Retrieved: 8 January 2009.
  22. ^ Butler, Amy. "Boeing Only Contender for New Air Force One." Archived 14 February 2016 at the Wayback Machine Aviation Week, 28 January 2009. Retrieved 28 January 2009.
  23. ^ AF Identifies Boeing 747-8 platform for next Air Force One Archived 3 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine.
  24. ^ Mehta, Aaron (28 January 2015). "Boeing Tapped for Air Force One Replacement". Defense News. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  25. ^ "Presidential Aircraft Recapitalization". FedBizOpps. 10 May 2016. Archived from the original on 2 October 2018. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
  26. ^ "A new Air Force One for Trump or Clinton is on the way". Air Force Times. 11 May 2016. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
  27. ^ "Boeing Wins Second Air Force One Contract". Aviation Week. 21 July 2016. Archived from the original on 9 June 2021. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  28. ^ Kevin Breuninger, Amanda Macias (27 February 2018). "The White House cuts $3.9 billion deal with Boeing for two new Air Force Ones". CNBC. Archived from the original on 27 February 2018. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
  29. ^ "Trump Wanted a Cheaper Air Force One. So the USAF Is Buying a Bankrupt Russian Firm's Undelivered 747s". Defense One. Archived from the original on 1 August 2017. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  30. ^ "CEO: Boeing Should Have Rejected Trump's Air Force One Deal". 27 April 2022. Retrieved 27 April 2022.
  31. ^ Allen, Mike (12 July 2018). "Scoop: Trump wants tough new Air Force One paint job". Axios. Archived from the original on 3 October 2020. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
  32. ^ "Trump to redesign Air Force One". BBC News. 17 July 2018. Archived from the original on 7 August 2020. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
  33. ^ Patton, Phil (24 February 2009). "Air Force One: The Graphic History". American Institute of Graphic Arts. Archived from the original on 21 February 2020. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
  34. ^ a b Tangel, Andrew; Restuccia, Andrew (10 June 2022). "Biden Reverses Trump Plan to Paint Air Force One Red, White and Blue". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  35. ^ a b Liebermann, Oren (10 March 2023). "New color scheme unveiled for Air Force One that discards Trump's design". CNN. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  36. ^ a b "New paint design for 'Next Air Force One'". U.S. Air Force. Air Force News Service. 10 March 2023. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  37. ^ "First New Air Force One Begins Modification Process". 11 March 2020.
  38. ^ Tangel, Andrew (5 April 2022). "Boeing's New Air Force One Hit by Production Mishaps". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  39. ^ "Bush Foundation wants retiring Air Force One for museum". airforcetimes.com
  40. ^ "Air Force One Technical Specs." Archived 22 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine Boeing Defense, Space and Security. Retrieved: 26 March 2016.
  41. ^ "'We're the Only Plane in the Sky'". Politico. September 2016. Gordon Johndroe: You cannot hide a blue-and-white 747 that says 'United States of America' across the top. You can't move it secretly through the daylight.
  42. ^ Hardesty 2003, p. 15.
Bibliography
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