When we hear about the Air Force One, we immediately think of it as the most secure and the most sophisticated aircraft in the world, as it is a distinguished symbol of the presidency and power of the United States of America.
Unknown by many, the "Air Force One" is not a single plane, but it is simply the call sign the crew refers to whichever US Air Force plane the president of the United States steps into. This then lessens the confusion with any planes nearby.
This self-sufficient Boeing 747 airplane has the most advanced navigation system and communications equipment that makes it easier for the President to address the people while flying, as well as deal with emergency situations effectively. The aircraft does not depend on many airport facilities. We have collected 15 Photos of the Air Force One you have never seen before.
15 Look How Huge It Is
The air traffic control call sign, Air Force One, was first used in the late 50s to refer to the United States Air Force aircraft that was specially engineered for the sole purpose of transporting the President of the United States. The total accommodation of the current one is adequate for 70 passengers and 26 crews.
14 All Systems Go
President Franklin Roosevelt was the first US president to fly to a conference in Morocco in January 1943 while in office in a commercial Boeing 314 Clipper. That led to the creation of the Douglas C-54 Skymaster specifically for presidential purposes. It could fly up to 4,000 miles, and was known as the "Sacred Crow."
13 Presidential Suite
There had been multiple variations of aircraft that were used by a number of presidents as their Air Force One. In the late 1950s, Columbine II and Columbine III, two Lockheed Constellations, were used. During the '60s and '70s, two Boeing 707s were chosen to serve the president of the United States.
12 Chat With Obama
From 1990 until now, two Boeing Vc-25As compose the presidential fleet. The Maryland Andrews Air Force Base is the home to the two Air Force One. They are under the Air Force’s Air Mobility Command's 89th Airlift Wing. It has an in-flight refueling system, which allows the aircraft to function continuously, especially during emergency situations.
11 Reagan's Day Out
Today, two similar Boeing 747-200B jets, with 28000 and 29000 tail numbers, fly under the "Air Force One" name. They feature four General Electric CF6-80C2B1 jet engines for each plane, and each engine generated 56,700 pounds of thrust. They stand one block long and almost the same height of a building with six floors.
10 The New Air Force One
The maximum speed of today’s Air Force One ranges from 630 to 700 miles per hour and could fly a maximum height of 45,100 feet while carrying 53,611 gallons of fuel. It could fly halfway around the world on a full tank. These 833,000-pounds aircrafts are monsters in the sky.
9 The Pilot
The Air Force One has already anticipated all kinds of emergencies, from minor injuries to fatal incidents. It is abundant with medical state-of-the-art technologies. Several emergency equipment and a pharmacy with broad contents compose its onboard medical facility, complete with a staff doctor that is always present in all flights.
8 The Flying Oval Office
The extensive electronics available onboard makes every aircraft envious of the Air Force One. It is like some sort of a high-tech flying office. There are 85 onboard telephones scattered all around the interior that has a secured air-to-ground line, multiple two-way radios, 19 televisions and all sorts of office equipment.
7 A Masterpiece
As an aircraft that transports the most important person in the United States, the Air Force One has to have the most advanced avionics and defenses. Specifics about its defense system are confidential, but we are sure that this aircraft is engineered to defend itself in the midst of an air attack.
6 Catching Up
It makes use of an electronic countermeasure, which lets it fly without being detected by the enemy's radar. In case of missile fire, the plane will eject flares to mislead the missiles. Another self-defense system is the ability to protect its onboard electronics from the electromagnetic pulse in case of nuclear explosions.
5 Security First
There are plenty of floor spaces that the president and his officials can roam and sit around. There are a total of 4,000 square feet of executive offices, luxurious rooms and plenty of seating areas. This lavish hotel on wings is furnished by the great artworks of a master carpenter.
4 Back In Time
The Air Force One has three decks. The upper level is intended for the communications equipment, while the middle level is composed of passenger rooms. The cargo rooms are located at the bottom level of the plane. Freezers that can store a large amount of food are also found at the bottom level.
3 The Archives
The middle deck entrance is what we usually see on the news as he waves goodbye while boarding the Air Force One, while the journalists are requested to enter through the rear entrance that leads to a staircase to the middle deck. The press area in the middle deck is laid out with comfortable seats.
2 Flying Away
The president has can live in his own living quarters for days. He got all the comfort of a bedroom, bathroom, and even a workout room. This aircraft has two fully-equipped galleys where the crew can prepare 100 meals at a time. Food for a total of 2,000 meals can be stored for long trips.
1 Refueling Mid Air
Certain areas are restricted to most visitors, politician and journalists included. They receive a polite request to stop, whenever they unintentionally or intentionally approach any off-limits places for national security reasons. These mysterious areas are concealed, and no one really knows what exactly these rooms are for, even though, there were official and unofficial reports.