Vc-25A Aircraft

Vc-25A Aircraft - The War Zone reported three years ago on how the Air Force had made the case to Trump for why it needed the new Air Force One jets in part through a detailed discussion of the aging nature of the existing VC-25A aircraft and the increasing costs to operate and maintain them, according to other materials related to the 2016 briefings that we previously obtained via FOIA. The information in the documents we received earlier this year, including the flight hour cost data, further underscores that these factors were key talking points.

It also remains unclear whether or not President Joe Biden's Administration will change the plans set into motion under Trump to replace the iconic Air Force One paint scheme used on the VC-25As with a new red, white, and blue livery on the new VC-25B.

Vc-25A Aircraft

Nat Geo is releasing a new documentary today that provides an unprecedented look behind the scenes of USAF VC-25A operations and an insider’s look at the development of the impressive new VC-25B aircraft, the new “Air Force One”. The documentary also shows glimpses of the elite “Ravens” security force that secures the VC-25 transport.

Air Force One Jets - The S

It was joined in 1947 by a C-118 Liftmaster (a military-modified Douglas DC-6 aircraft), known as 'Independence.' This introduced some of the fittings that presidential aircraft have become known for, with a separate stateroom onboard as well as seating for 24 passengers.

Air Force One entered the jet age in 1959 and started a relationship with Boeing that continues today. Again, it was President Eisenhower who approved and oversaw the introduction of the first jet, a modified Boeing 707 (this was a C-137 Stratoliner, modified as VC-137).

"The VC-25A Presidential aircraft are FAA-certified Boeing 747-200 aircraft that were purchased in 1987 and subsequently heavily modified with specialized equipment to execute the Presidential airlift mission. They entered Presidential service in 1990," according to a set of internal Air Force talking points dated December 2015. "Boeing 747-200 ceased production in 1987 and is no longer operated in U.S. commercial passenger-carrying industry. The AF is the only remaining domestic operator. The only countries flying passenger 747-200s currently are Iran, Nigeria, and Pakistan."

Air Force One has a long and interesting history. And the aircraft used have become some of the most expensive and best equipped. Feel free to discuss these aircraft and their modifications in the comments, along with your thoughts on the next and future generations.

The Start Of Presidential Travel

Franklin Roosevelt was the first US President to fly whilst in office. He flew on a Pan American Airways-crewed Boeing 314 Clipper flying boat to attend the Casablanca conference in 1943. President Theodore Roosevelt had become the first President ever to fly more than 30 years before that, when he took to the air in a Wright Flyer aircraft. However, this was a leisure flight during a county fair at Kinloch Field, and he had left office by that time.

President Eisenhower introduced several large propeller aircraft. The first of these was a Lockheed Constellation aircraft, named ‘Columbine II.' In January 1953, the use of the callsign 'Air Force One' was introduced for this aircraft. This happened following an incident where ‘Air Force 8610’ carrying the President was confused with commercial flight ‘Eastern Air Lines 8610.’

These systems consist of the typical flares found on most military aircraft and systems that can redirect air-to-air and ground-to-air missiles. It also has systems capable of jamming missile tracking signals breaking the missile's connection with the aircraft.

The documents we recently obtained via FOAI provide additional insight into the total costs of the VC-25B program and what the Air Force spent specifically on the two "green" 747-8is that are now being converted into those jets.

Never Before Seen Video Showcases Development Of New “Air Force One” Boeing - As Vc-B

It is hidden behind what may be the tightest security screen on earth. It is the most visible mobile projection of the United States. The U.S. Air Force Boeing VC-25A heavy transport most commonly known as “Air Force One” (for its call sign when the President is on board) is perhaps the most recognizable military aircraft in the world. This contradiction between projecting visibility while maintaining security is one of the most difficult tactical problems to moderate for any security force in the world. The 30-year old Boeing VC-25A aircraft are currently being replaced by a new version of the Boeing 747-8 aircraft designated the “VC-25B”.

In 1962, a C-137C specifically purchased for use as Air Force One, entered into service with the tail number 26000. It is perhaps the most widely known and most historically significant presidential aircraft. Tail number 26000 is the aircraft that carried President Kennedy to Dallas, Nov. 22, 1963, and returned the body to Washington, D.C., following his assassination. Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn into office as the 36th president on board the aircraft at Love Field in Dallas. This fateful aircraft also was used to return President Johnson's body to Texas following his state funeral Jan. 24, 1973. In 1972 President Richard M. Nixon made historic visits aboard 26000 to the People's Republic of China and to the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. Tail number 26000 was retired May 1998, and is on display at the U.S. Air Force Museum, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio.

"$3.1B was the estimated FYDP [Future Years Defense Program] cost for the program in December 2016," Air Force spokesperson Stefanek told us when asked about this specific data point. The FYDP is a five-year budget outlay that does not necessarily reflect a total estimated cost of an individual program.

As is typical with Nat Geo’s documentary crew, the video and editing is flawless. But what makes this documentary so relevant is that it can be enjoyed by both devoted aircraft enthusiasts with an interest in technical details and also casual documentary fans.

Inside The S

Air Force One interiors and facilities have become more advanced and lavish over time. Larger propeller aircraft allowed staterooms and separated seating, and the 707s took this further with office space and later a private residence. But the extra space offered by the 747 has allowed much more.

The two 747s in use today carry tail number 28000 and 29000. They are highly modified to withstand various attacks and remain in the air for days if needed. The exact specifications and capabilities of the airplane's defense systems are classified. However, a few of the general defensive capabilities are public information, including advanced antimissile systems.

Today marks the 33rd anniversary of the first Air Force One Boeing 747 delivery on January 26th, 1990. Since that date, two 747-200B models, classified by the Air Force as the VC-25A, are still in use today. However, these aircraft are growing old and antiquated, placing in the top 20 oldest active 747s. Boeing is currently working on retrofitting two undelivered 747-8 aircraft to replace the older variants. Let's take a look at the latest with the new Air Force One airplanes.

The idea of a dedicated presidential aircraft soon followed, with a modified C-87 Liberator Express aircraft, named ‘Guess Where II,' operating from 1943 to 1945. It was not deemed safe enough for the President himself, however.

Modern-Day Air Force One

Principal differences between the VC-25 and the standard Boeing 747, other than the number of passengers carried, are the state of the art navigation, electronic and communications equipment, its interior configuration and furnishings, self-contained baggage loader, front and aft air-stairs, and the capability for in-flight refueling.

Two galleys provide up to 100 meals at one sitting. Six passenger lavatories, including disabled access facilities, are provided as well as a rest area and mini-galley for the aircrew. The VC-25 also has a compartment outfitted with medical equipment and supplies for minor medical emergencies. The aircraft is one of a kind.

Oh, and the Air Force did formally rule out using the now-out-of-production Airbus A380, the only other available four-engine aircraft that could meet its requirements, as the basis for a new Air Force One. "The A380 is not a viable option as it is not in the public interest to use an aircraft other than one that is manufactured in the U.S." for this role, the 2015 talking points state.

There is a lot more to do than just an interior refit (which we know little about so far). It will have extensive communications and defense systems added. The fuselage will be hardened, and retractable stairs will be added. Operationally, it will be adapted to allow steeper take-off and landing, and a second APU will be fitted. It will not have the ability to refuel in the air, though, as the current VC-25 A aircraft can.

Preserving The Jets

In 2013, Time had reported that the cost per flight hour to operate a VC-25A was $161,591. That figure is much closer to the $177,843 per-flight-hour average cost during the 2021 Fiscal Year, which started on Oct. 1, 2020, and ended on Sept. 30, 2021, that the Air Force provided to The War Zone. "This [Fiscal Year 2021] rate includes the cost for fuel, flight consumables and aircraft and engine overhaul," Ann Stefanek, an Air Force spokesperson, told us.

Tail number 27000 replaced 26000 and carved its own history when it was used to fly Presidents Nixon, Ford and Carter to Cairo, Egypt, Oct. 19, 1981, to represent the United States at the funeral of Egyptian President Anwar Sadat.

The presidential air transport fleet consists of two specially configured Boeing 747-200B's -- tail numbers 28000 and 29000 -- with the Air Force designation VC-25. When the president is aboard either aircraft, or any Air Force aircraft, the radio call sign is "Air Force One."

Presidential air transport began in 1944 when a C-54 -- the "Sacred Cow" -- was put into service for President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Then came the "Independence," a DC-6 (Liftmaster), which transported President Harry S. Truman during the period 1947 to 1953. President Dwight D. Eisenhower traveled aboard the "Columbine II" and "Columbine III" from 1953 to 1961. While the call sign "Air Force One" was first used in the 50s, President Kennedy's VC-137 (Boeing 707) was the first aircraft to be popularly known as "Air Force One."

The Air Force One Livery

In 1943 US President Franklin D. Roosevelt became the first president to fly while in office. This first presidential flight was a bit less glamorous than those of today as Roosevelt did not have a designated plane. He flew across the Atlantic Ocean to Casablanca a Boeing 314 Clipper. As the years went on and air travel became a standard means of transportation for the president, the official designation Air Force One came to be.

The UK has a much less lavish aircraft - an A330 that doubles for military use as an air to air refueling aircraft. It was fitted out with business class style seating by Prime Minister David Cameron, and controversially repainted by Boris Johnson. However, it lacks the conference rooms, accommodation, and fittings of other countries.

Aboard the aircraft, the president is able to communicate with anyone in the world on secure encrypted lines. The aircraft also contains two to three days' worth of provisions. The VC-25A only carries 15 hours of fuel; however, the aircraft can undergo air-to-air refueling, although this has never been done with Air Force One.

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Coming Soon - New - Aircraft

Germany has likewise recently taken on new aircraft. A new A350 was delivered in May 2020 to replace its long-serving A340. This will feature a new cabin, with extensive office and meeting space, but this is yet to be revealed.

The $5.3 billion total figure first emerged publicly in March 2019, at which time it was framed as a cost increase. However, it does not appear to have been previously reported that this figure was the established Acquisition Program Baseline. It's not clear when that baseline was set, but the Air Force only expected to finalize an initial complete cost estimate in 2016 and then finally awarded Boeing the $3.9 billion fixed-price contract to convert the two 747-8i aircraft in July 2018.

"Consequently, VC-25A parts obsolescence and diminishing sources for replacement parts is an ever-increasing problem that will continue to worsen," these talking points add. "Due to advancing age, [the] VC-25A is experiencing increasing out of service times for heavy maintenance to maintain FAA airworthiness standards. The time has already grown to well over a year per heavy maintenance cycle, significantly limiting availability for Presidential airlift."

Beyond all this, we do now know that the two VC-25As, which are often referred to by the tail numbers 28000 and 29000, had accumulated at least 9,000 and 8,421 total flight hours, respectively, by the end of 2015. The Air Force could tell us that these figures had risen to 10,030 hours for tail number 28000 and 9,899 hours for tail number 29000 by January 22 of this year. This is an average of around almost 172 hours and just over 246 hours per year across that period for these respective aircraft.

The Air Force One Of Tomorrow

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