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VC-137B/C Stratoliner

The VC-137 provides transportation for the vice president, cabinet and congressional members, and other high-ranking U.S. and foreign officials. It also serves as a backup for Air Force One, the presidential aircraft.

The VC-137B/C Stratoliner is a modified version of the Boeing 707 commercial intercontinental airliner that, for many years, was the presidential aircraft. Today, the president's aircraft, is the VC-25A. The VC-137B/C body is identical to that of the Boeing 707, but has different interior furnishings and electronic equipment. The passenger cabin is divided into three sections:

Background

In 1962, the first jet aircraft to be specifically purchased for use as "Air Force One," a VC-137B, entered service with the tail number 26000. It is perhaps the most widely known and has the most historical significance of the presidential aircraft. Tail number 26000 is the aircraft that carried President John F. Kennedy to Dallas, Nov. 22, 1963, and in which his body was returned to Washington, D.C., following his assassination. Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn into office as the 36th president of the United States on board 26000 at Love Field in Dallas. This fateful aircraft also was used to return President Johnson's body to Texas following his state funeral on Jan. 24, 1973. In 1972, President Richard M. Nixon made historic visits aboard 26000 to the People's Republic of China in February and to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in May.

Tail number 27000, a G model VC-137, replaced 26000 and carved its place in history when it was used to fly former Presidents Nixon, Ford and Carter to Cairo, Egypt, Oct. 19, 1981, to represent the United States at the funeral of Egyptian President Anwar Sadat.

C-137 aircraft are modified B-707 aircraft with 1950's airframe technology that do not comply with FAA Stage 3 restrictions. Additionally, the FAA mandated aging aircraft inspections requirements negatively affect the maintainability and availability of the C-137 fleet. These aircraft are already expensive to fly, needing fuel stops and ground support equipment, and the resultant additional security and time required. A Statement of Need and Operational Requirements Document has been validated for replacing the C-137 with a VC-X aircraft. Therefore the 89th Airlift Wing will receive four new Boeing 757-200 aircraft in 1998 to be designated C-32As and two Gulfstream V aircraft to be designated C-37A.

Specifications

Primary Function Transport high-priority personnel and backup presidential airlift.
Builder Boeing Company.
Power Plant: Four Pratt and Whitney JT3D-3B turbofan engines
Thrust: 18,000 pounds (8,100 kilograms) each engine
Length VC-137B, 144 feet, 6 inches (48.79 meters);
VC-137C, 152 feet, 11 inches (46.33 meters)
Height VC-137B, 41 feet, 4 inches (12.52 meters);
VC-137C, 42 feet, 5 inches (12.91 meters)
Maximum Takeoff Weight VC-137B, 258,000 pounds (116,100 kilograms)
VC-137C, 322,000 pounds (144,900 kilograms)
Wingspan: VC-137B, 130 feet, 10 inches (39.66 meters);
VC-137C, 145 feet, 9 inches (44.17 meters)
Range VC-137B, 5,000 miles (8,000 kilometers);
VC-137C, 6,000 miles (9,600 kilometers)
Ceiling 42,000 feet (12,727 meters)
Speed 530 miles per hour (Mach 0.81)
Load VC-137B, 40 passengers;
VC-137C, 50 passengers
Unit Cost VC-137B, $36.6 million; VC-137C, $36.2 million
Crew 18 (varies with mission)
Date Deployed: VC-137B, October 1962;
VC-137C, August 1972.
Inventory Active force, VC-137B, 3 and
VC-137C, 4;
ANG: 0; Reserve: 0.

Sources and Resources



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http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/vc-137.htm
Maintained by Robert Sherman
Originally created by John Pike
Updated Thursday, December 24, 1998 8:13:37 AM