Boeing C-32

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Boeing C-32

Role	Passenger transportation
Crew	16 flight crew (varies with mission)
First flight
Entered service	1998
Manufacturer	Boeing Co.
Dimensions
Length	155 ft, 3 in	47.32 m
Wingspan	124 ft, 8 in	37.99 m
Height	44 ft, 6 in	11.02 m
Wing area	ft²	m²
Weights
Empty	lb	kg
Loaded	lb	kg
Maximum takeoff	255,000 lb	115,700 kg
Capacity	45 passengers
Powerplant
Engines	Two Pratt and Whitney 2040 engines
Thrust/engine	41,700 lbf	184 kN
Performance
Maximum speed	530 mph (Mach 0.8)	850 km/h
Range	5,500 nautical miles unrefueled	km
Ferry range	miles	km
Service ceiling	42,000 ft	12,727 m
Rate of climb	ft/min	m/min
Avionics
Avionics

The Boeing C-32 is the designation of a USAF passenger transportation aircraft, a version of the Boeing 757.

The C-32 provides safe, comfortable and reliable transportation for United States leaders to locations around the world. The primary customers are the vice president, using the distinctive call sign "Air Force Two," the first lady, and members of the Cabinet and Congress. Both President George W Bush and President Clinton have at times used a C-32 as Air Force One in place of the larger and less efficient VC-25A. (the C-32 also has better short-field capacity than the VC-25, making it preferable when flying to locations without a runway long enough to accommodate the Boeing 747-derived VC-25.)

1 Features
2 Background
3 Operators
4 See also
5 External link

[edit] Features

The C-32 is a specially configured version of the Boeing 757-200 commercial intercontinental airliner. The C-32 body is identical to that of the Boeing 757-200, but has different interior furnishings and 21st century avionics. The passenger cabin is divided into four sections:

The forward area has a communications center, galley, lavatory and 10 business class seats.
The second section is a fully enclosed stateroom for the use of the primary passenger. It includes a changing area, private lavatory, separate entertainment system, two first-class swivel seats and a convertible divan that seats three and folds out to a bed.
The third section contains the conference and staff facility with eight business class seats.
The rear section of the cabin contains general seating with 32 business-class seats, galley, two lavatories and closets.

The C-32 is a high-standing aircraft, it is easier to see under and around it, this is an important security factor for protecting the plane and its passengers.

The C-32 is more fuel efficient and has improved capabilities over its Air Force One C-137/B-707 predecessor. It can travel twice the distance on the same amount of fuel, and operate on shorter runways down to 5,000 feet (1,500 m) in length. Its 92,000 pound (41,700 kg) fuel capacity allows the aircraft to travel 5,500 nautical miles (10,000 km) unrefueled.

Heading the safety equipment list is the Traffic Collision Avoidance System and Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System that gives advance warning of possible air and ground threats. Weather systems are enhanced with a Predictive Windshear Warning System. Other items include the future air navigation system with Global Positioning System and Flight Management System/Electronic Flight Instrument System.

Inside the C-32, communications are paramount. The vice president, heads of state and other decision-makers can conduct business anywhere around the world using improved telephones, satellites, television monitors, facsimiles and copy machines. The C-32 has state-of-the-art avionics equipment.

[edit] Background

The C-32 is a military version of the Boeing 757-200 extended range aircraft, selected along with the C-37A to replace the aging fleet of C-137 aircraft. Active-duty aircrews from the 1st Airlift Squadron, 89th Airlift Wing at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., fly the aircraft.

The contract was awarded for the C-32 in August 1996. By using commercial off-the-shelf acquisition practices, a new record has been set from contract award to aircraft delivery -- less than two years. The C-32 is the first military aircraft ever to be acquired in this manner. The 89th Airlift Wing acquired the first of four aircraft in late June 1998.