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Pentagon Eyes New Air Force One
The U.S. Air Force is looking at replacing the Boeing 747-200B "VC-25A" aircraft which serve as Air Force One when the President is on board. The acquisition program was authorized late last week by Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition Frank Kendall. The authorization also reportedly includes new Marine One helicopters as well. (www.aero-news.net) Más...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
Wouldn't the 777-300ER be a good choice? Home built,, cost-effecient, and modern?
I know this is nitpicking, but in your 3rd para you state "When the AF one aircraft lands it is a symbol of the United States regardless if the president is on board or not." Well, whatever plane the President is on is designated as "Air Force One" but not until he's actually on board. (yeah, yeah - picky, picky, picky, but fact.) But I get your point and agree, it would seem unpatriotic to transport the President of the United States in a plane built elsewhere...Boeing all the way - go America!
lets get rid of those gas hogs and downsize to lear jets. Those jets are to costly for him to fly in using taxpayer money.
The only problem is all the conveyances that travel along with the President. You have press, secret service, munitions (for SS), etc. That just simply wouldn't fit on a Lear.
If they stuck with the original configuration thats on the 200, there is no way they could stuff all of the equipment into a twin, hospital, dual APU's, etc.
There is no other 747's maintained like these two, re-engine is the answer.
There is no other 747's maintained like these two, re-engine is the answer.
Now there are only two manufactures who can supply the type of four engine aircraft that is required for Presidential Conveyance. They would be the Boeing 747-8 and the Airbus A380.
I for one would not want the President of the United States being transported in an Aircraft built buy a totally foreign country. When the AF one aircraft lands it is a symbol of the United State regardless if the president is on board or not. It would not be much of a symbol if it was built by Airbus. That and the fact that the A380 is way to much aircraft for Presidential travel. The A380 cannot go into many of the airports the present 747-200 or the 747-8 can operate from.
To ask a manufacturer to design a new aircraft or to retrofit an existing aircraft with four engines is cost prohibitive. So contrary to the article stating the Joints Chiefs have sourcing choice they do not. The new twins for AF one have to a Boeing and they have to be the 747-8.