since the current Air Force One is a 747-100, do you think that it will be updated anytime soon? could a 747-8 or A380 be in the hunt? i want your feedback on this. i think it is time to upgrade and i'm thinking the 747-8 is the right choice. i think the US should support an American company instead of going with Airbus (not that i dont love Airbus)

Current AF1 747's are the last 743's built before they went over to 744 production - and as little relatively speaking as they fly they are in no need off replacing any time soon,

They're 742s, not 100s, with relatively low hours. They'll be there for years to come.

Quoting AirRyan (Reply 1): Current AF1 747's are the last 743's

They are 742's not 743's. Check them out on Anet.

This question comes up every few months with the same basic answer... not for many years to come. If you try a search you may find one of several great threds on this topic....

If ain't broken, don't fix it....  


Mike

Quoting DL021 (Reply 3): Quoting AirRyan (Reply 1): Current AF1 747's are the last 743's They are 742's not 743's. Check them out on Anet.

I stand corrected yet still the 747's configured as AF1 are more so of a hybrid anyways the 747-200B was really just where the airframe began.

http://www.boeing.com/defense-space/military/af1/af1spec.html

The VC-25's are some of the lowest houred 742's in the world, and by FAR the best maintained. They'll be around for the next 15-20 years easy.

Another reason is acquisition costs. The VC-25's are very expensive. I may be wrong, but I thought I heard somewhere that it cost more to configure the aircraft into "Air Fore One" than it did to buy the 742 in the first place.

I'm kinda with you on the asthetics stand point though, as much as I love the current VC-25, I's still love to see this...

Modified Airliner Photos:

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I agree, the current 747-200s are more of a "shell" around a very sophisticated airframe. They do not have many hours and are superbly maintained. They will continue on for at least 2 more decades.

[Edited 2006-02-20 18:30:05]

Calling the VC-25A a 747-200 is like calling a Ford Police Interceptor a Crown Victoria.

The Police Interceptor shares the sheet metal with the Crown Victoria, but underneath is a very different vehicle.

Mark

Quoting Boeing Nut (Reply 8): I think you will see the unusable overhead space on the current VC-25 will be used on the 747-8 to house electronic components from the E4-B to the point that the E4's could be obsolete.

The VC-25As are closer to the E-4s than you might think. I'll admit my sources may be a bit bias (the VC-25 crew) but it sounds like both are fully functioning command posts these days and the difference in C+C abilities in small to none. The E-4 looks like it may serve as an alternate command post for general officers or leaders other than the president.

Quoting Alaska737 (Thread starter): since the current Air Force One is a 747-100, do you think that it will be updated anytime soon?

These are not stock 741's from Boeing, they have been prepped bigtime. They will have clocked less hours than most airliners that flew the model, hence it's lifetime may not be reached for a while. If it was necessary to replace, it will be a Boeing or whatever other American company can put out when the time comes.

In a way I think a modified, lighter version of 772LR would be perfect as it will not need refueling and flight nonstop to anywhere in the world, President will not worry about the equivalent CASM.

If Boeing teamed up with Lockheed and Northrop, maybe the next AF1 will be a modified sonic troop carrier for quick hops.

Quoting AsstChiefMark (Reply 10): Calling the VC-25A a 747-200 is like calling a Ford Police Interceptor a Crown Victoria.

IIRC they stripped off the -200 engines and hung the -400 engines off of them for extra power. They also have the glass cockpit instead of the analog gauges in the -200.

Quoting DeltaGator (Reply 13): IIRC they stripped off the -200 engines and hung the -400 engines off of them for extra power. They also have the glass cockpit instead of the analog gauges in the -200.

i didnt know that but it doesnt surprise me, cool

how easy would it be to add winglets to AF1????? out of the question or possibility???

Ummm i highly doubt there would ever be a such thing as a "Airforce 1 A380" no offence to the plane, but could you honestly see the President of the United States flying in a foreign built aircraft , LOLz , i think the new Airforce 1 will be a 747-8 ,when ever that happens


GulfStreamGirl

"They also have the glass cockpit instead of the analog gauges in the -200"

SAM28000 & SAM29000 have EFIS, but not PFD/ND & EICAS instrumentation. Also, a fourth crew member--a navigator.

A-380 what are you thinking      

Quoting Dw747400 (Reply 11): The VC-25As are closer to the E-4s than you might think. I'll admit my sources may be a bit bias (the VC-25 crew) but it sounds like both are fully functioning command posts these days and the difference in C+C abilities in small to none. The E-4 looks like it may serve as an alternate command post for general officers or leaders other than the president.

I read somewhere that as a result of deficincies discovered on 9/11 AF1's communications package was dramatically updated. From what I understand on 9/11 they couldn't get live CNN feed and other information that was readily available to everyone else in the country.

Quoting Alaska737 (Reply 15): how easy would it be to add winglets to AF1????? out of the question or possibility???

I wouldn't doubt that this is being considered. Winglets do offer improvements in takeoff performance, and the fuel savings is proven upgrade.

Then again, I don't think the current POTUS is worried about fuel savings.