B777A340Fan From United States, joined Oct 2005, 722 posts, RR: 0 Posted (2 years 8 months 4 days 14 hours ago) and read 2374 times:
I apologize in advance if this topic has already been discussed, but I was wondering whether the United States government had any immediate intentions to replace the President/VP's aircrafts? I mean, not a lot of people fly 742s.... Hypothetically speaking, if they were to consider a replacement for Air Force One, what would it be? the 748? How likely would it be that the US government pick an Airbus aircraft? I know, when pigs fly, right?
AADC10 From United States, joined Nov 2004, 949 posts, RR: 1 Reply 3, posted (2 years 8 months 4 days 11 hours ago) and read 2008 times:
The previous Air Force One fleet was used for over 25 years and there is little reason to think that the current one would be any different. The main advantages of the newer 747s are mostly fuel economy, slightly more space and higher MTOW, factors that are not very important for use as Air Force One. Fuel economy is not very important since the plane spends little time in the air, nowhere near enough to justify the cost of new planes. More space and lift are always better, but the improvement is not enough to make much of an operational difference.
QXatFAT From United States, joined Feb 2006, 2284 posts, RR: 9 Reply 6, posted (2 years 8 months 4 days 11 hours ago) and read 1880 times:
Quoting VS11 (Reply 4): How old is the current one? They may wanna wait until the A380 is finally ready.
Haha. That was a joke right? I just want to make sure. Deffinatly not during the Bush time period will he want to fly on a French Air Force One.
IMO, there will not be a new one for some time. Maybe in 10 years or so they will get the newest jet out from Boeing. Probably not a 747-8 or anything like this. I can see Joni's idea of a T7. I really liked the look of the older Air Force One without a hump. Plus, the current Air Force One is just huge and not necessary.
BigJKU From United States, joined Feb 2007, 474 posts, RR: 6 Reply 8, posted (2 years 8 months 4 days 11 hours ago) and read 1856 times:
Quoting VS11 (Reply 4): How old is the current one? They may wanna wait until the A380 is finally ready. It would be more becoming for an Air Force One.
I think it might be quite appropriate. You could paint it the color of a pig for all the pork barrell spending and as luck might have it the 380 looks like a pig too.
BlueSky1976 From Poland, joined Jul 2004, 1176 posts, RR: 5 Reply 9, posted (2 years 8 months 4 days 11 hours ago) and read 1813 times:
Quoting QXatFAT (Reply 6): Probably not a 747-8 or anything like this.
IIRC, Air Force preferred 707 first and 747 later due to their four engines. It's harder to destroy and safer to land in case one (or two) engines get damaged during missile attack. The 747 with one engine destroyed lacks only 25% of power, while 777 would loose not only 50% of it, but also potentially destroyed engine would create much greater damage to aircraft structure due to the massive size of GE-90, affecting the manoeuverability of the aircraft and its overall safety.
That being said, I wouldn't be surprised that in 20 years or so, the next Air Force One platform would be based on heavily modified passenger 747-8. Keep in mind, that current one - based on 747-200B - is often called "747-400 without winglets", since it is not only heavily modified military airplane, but also it features a great deal of modifications done with 747-400 in mind.
You can bash me all you want, but I consider the 747 and A380 equal... in their ugliness!!! Signed: 777 fanatic.
PC12Fan From United States, joined Jan 2007, 1281 posts, RR: 6 Reply 10, posted (2 years 8 months 4 days 10 hours ago) and read 1807 times:
Quoting QXatFAT (Reply 6): Plus, the current Air Force One is just huge and not necessary.
And every square inch of it is used. If it had the capability to use the "crown attic", they would. I personally see them doing this if/when a 747-8 is ordered. Equipment that is not used on the E4-B's can be incorporated into the "VC-25NG" attic space. Then the aircraft will have the capability for a simple POTUS transport to a (God forbid) full fledged flying war room with no need for the E4's.
Just when I think you've said the stupidest thing ever, you keep talkin'!
Superfly From United States, joined May 2000, 29841 posts, RR: 87 Reply 11, posted (2 years 8 months 4 days 10 hours ago) and read 1807 times:
Quoting Joni (Reply 5): An obvious alternative would be the B777 or B787, IMO
Let's hope that never happens.
It would make more sense to go for space and that would mean the 747. They would never go with Airbus so a 747-400 or 800 would be the one to go for.
The current Airforce One has PLENTY of life left in it so don't expect another replacment for at least another 10-15 years.
Atmx2000 From United States, joined Oct 2004, 4576 posts, RR: 41 Reply 13, posted (2 years 8 months 3 days 12 hours ago) and read 1607 times:
Quoting Bennett123 (Reply 12): I am constantly amused when people say that the A380 is French.
Isn't France going to take over more of the A380 work from Germany? I think the events of the last few months have pulled the wool from most peoples eyes and revealed that the French have more control over Airbus and have been using it to acquire technological expertise at the expense of their European partners. Germany appears to have just realized this reality despite the supposed parity in ownership. BAe seems to have realized that they had little influence at Airbus and got out of it. And Spain has had the smallest stake all along.
ConcordeBoy is a twin supremacist!! He supports quadicide!!
CF188A From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 15, posted (2 years 8 months 3 days 9 hours ago) and read 1576 times:
now that we are talking about Air Force One... can someone be so kind to actually state the unique features of it... such as a bullet resistant airframe, nuclear resistant airframe, etc etc? Who would be the ones responsible for the actual design and development of Air Force One and at that... how the hell do they know it can withstand a nuclear pulse lol? any rumors would also be cool to discuss.
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