Boeing, Airlift & Tankeers Aircraft

The Air Force One

"Air Force One is a Boeing 747-200B aircraft that was extensively modified to meet presidential requirements. The original paint scheme was designed at the request of President John F. Kennedy, who wanted the airplane to reflect the spirit of the national character. He also directed that the words "United States of America" appear prominently on the fuselage, and that the U.S. flag be painted on the vertical stabilizer. (...)

The Flying "Oval Office":
"The flying "Oval Office" has 4,000 square feet of interior floor space, which features a conference/dining room, quarters for the president and the first lady, and an office area for senior staff members. Another office can be converted into a medical facility when required. There are work and rest areas for the presidential staff, media representatives and Air Force crews; two galleys are each capable of providing food for 50 people... "

More on the Air Force One or clic on the image.

The C-32A Executive Transport

"Boeing built four 757-200s to replace the U.S. Air Force's aging fleet of four-engine Boeing VC-137 executive transports, which had been in service since the late 1950s. Designated C-32A, the modified airplanes carry the U.S. vice president, members of the U.S. Cabinet and Congress, and other government officials traveling on official business.

The first two C-32As entered operational service in June 1998; the final two entered service in early 1999. The C-32A fleet is based at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., and operated by the 89th Airlift Wing. The C-32A contracts include both aircraft acquisition and contractor logistic support and run through 2005."

More on The C-32A Executive Transport or clic on the image.

The C-40A Navy Airlift Aircraft

"Boeing is building 737-700 convertible/combi aircraft to replace the U.S. Navy's fleet of C-9 airlift transports, which have been in service since the early 1970s. Designated C-40A, the aircraft will be used for the Navy Unique Fleet Essential Airlift (NUFEA) mission, transporting both passengers and cargo around the world. On August 29, 1997, the Navy awarded Boeing a contract for two 737-700 Increased Gross Weight Combi aircraft to begin the replacement program.

The Navy now has a total of five C-40s on order, with the first aircraft scheduled to be delivered to the Naval Reserve in early 2001.

The C-40A will be certified to operate in three configurations: an all-passenger (121) configuration; an all-cargo configuration of up to eight pallets; or a combination, or "combi" configuration that will accommodate up to three cargo pallets and 70 passengers. The C-40A will set new standards in performance, low-cost operations and reliability for the Navy's fleet logistics support mission..."

... More on the C-40A Navy Airlift Aircraft or clic on the image.

The Airlift and Tanker programs

"The right tanker transport solution. The 767 Tanker Transport is the right solution for air-refueling and transport needs for military services around the globe. "Right-sized" for optimum fuel offload and range, it provides enhanced mission capability, whether in support of force projection, humanitarian missions or worldwide deployments.

Equipped with both the proven Boeing-developed boom-and-receptacle and the hose-and-drogue aerial refueling systems, the 767 Tanker Transport offers maximum operational flexibility along with full European Union and NATO interoperability.

Quiet, efficient, commercially proven engines make the 767 Tanker Transport compliant with the strictest 21st century noise and environmental standards, which means this new tanker aircraft is welcome at all the places it needs to be..."

... More on the Airlift and Tanker programs or clic on the image.

The C-17 Globemaster III

"The U.S. Air Force-Boeing C-17 Globemaster III is designed to fulfill airlift needs well into the 21st century - carrying large combat equipment and troops or humanitarian aid across international distances directly to small austere airfields anywhere in the world. Boeing is on contract with the Air Force to build and deliver 120 C-17s through 2004. At the end of 2001, Boeing had delivered 80 C-17s to the USAF. The United Kingdom Royal Air Force operates four C-17s. The Air Force declared the first C-17 squadron operational in January 1995.

Since then the fleet has amassed more than 325,000 flying hours. The C-17 has been involved in numerous contingency operations, including flying troops and equipment to Operation Joint Endeavor to support peacekeeping in Bosnia, Allied Force Operation in Kosovo, and the War on Terrorism in Afghanistan."

More on the C-17 Globemaster III or clic on the image.

The KC-767 Advanced Tanker

"The KC-767 International Tanker: Capable, Efficient, DeployableWith its optimum size and capability, and overall operational flexibility, the KC-767 International Global Tanker aerial refueling tanker is built, flown, tested, and certified, with three delivered and in operational service today.

For more information, read the the KC-767 International Tanker (pdf) or clic on the image.

The Boeing KC-767 is optionally equipped with a refueling receptacle allowing it to be refueled in-flight. This option allows additional flexibility in missions by allowing additional range or by preventing an aircraft completing a mission from having to carry fuel back to base that could be used closer to where it is needed. This image shows a Boeing KC-767 being refueled by another Boeing KC-767."

The KC-135A

"The first KC-135A entered the U.S. Air Force fleet in 1957; the last was delivered in 1965. About 550 of the 732 tankers built, all by Boeing at its Seattle facilities, remain in service. In addition, Boeing built 88 similar aircraft for other Air Force uses, such as flying command posts, pure transports, electronic reconnaissance and photo mapping. The last of these special-purpose aircraft was delivered in late 1966.

Tanker Characteristics The KC-135 is equipped with a flying boom for fuel transfer; a special drogue can be attached to the boom on the ground so it can refuel probe-equipped aircraft. An operator stationed in the rear of the airplane controls the boom. A deck above the fuselage-mounted tanks can hold passengers and cargo.

In the past 20 years, refueling requirements of the armed services have more than doubled, making the KC-135 an extremely valuable national resource. Modification programs at Boeing have contributed to the life and performance of the airplane. Those efforts include wing re-skinning and the KC-135R and KC-135E re-engining programs."

More on The The KC-135A or clic on the image

The KC-10 Extender

"A derivative of the Boeing commercial DC-10-30 convertible freighter, the KC-10 Extender is an advanced tanker/cargo aircraft. It is designed to provide rapid, worldwide force projection for the armed services, as well as for humanitarian or peacekeeping missions.

Functions and Capabilities
Powered by three General Electric CF6-50C2 turbofan engines, the KC-10 Extender provides:
- a versatile personnel and cargo carrier which deploys fighter aircraft, including support equipment and personnel, nonstop to any point on the globe.
- a major increase in air refueling capability by increasing the payload/range of cargo airlifters.
- augmentation of the airlift fleet by carrying cargo and personnel.

The KC-10 Extender can refuel a wide variety of U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps aircraft, as well as aircraft from allied nations. It can refuel both receptacle-equipped and probe-equipped aircraft on the same flight. This is accomplished by including:
- additional fuel tanks in the lower fuselage compartments
- an advanced air refueling boom
- an independent hose reel/drogue system
- a remote air refueling operators station (KDC-10)
- an air refueling receptacle and military avionics.

The KC-10 Extender contributes strategic tanker capability to the U.S. Air Force by providing rapid, worldwide force projection"

More on The KC-10 Extender or clic on the image

The E-4B Advanced Airborne Command Post

"The E-4B Advanced Airborne Command Post is designed to be used by the National Command Authority as a survivable command post for control of U.S. forces in all levels of conflict including nuclear war. In addition to its primary mission, secondary missions assigned to the E-4B include VIP travel support and Federal Emergency Management Agency support, which provides communications to relief efforts following natural disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes
Boeing supported the E-4B fleet of four modified Boeing 747 aircraft for 25 years in the areas of Contractor Logistics Support (CLS), engineering services and technical order support.

Providing Contractor Logistics Support
The CLS includes spares configuration management; identifying spare parts requirements; procuring spares; repairing failed spares and equipment; operating the Contractor Operated and Maintained Base Supply (COMBS); providing technical assistance and training by on-site Boeing field service personnel; accomplishing programmed depot maintenance and strip and paint; and depot level service bulletin/technical order accomplishment. This support assures that the basic aircraft and on-board command, control and communications systems are ready to support the U. S. Air Force operational needs. The contract goal for mission capable spares is 98 percent. The cumulative total over 25 years has never been below 99 percent.

Engineering Services Support
Engineering Services Support consists of Boeing and vendor service bulletin reviews and recommendations for compliance, development and upkeep of aircraft maintenance plans, 747 fleet wide in-service activity data review, E-4B master drawing and data file maintenance, operational problem resolution support, in-flight emergencies consultation, accident/incident investigations, configuration tracking and responses to customer and user inquiries
In addition, Boeing performs a variety of specialized tasks including developing airframe and electronic system enhancements and development of new communications system improvements utilizing the Air Force System Integration Laboratory..."

More on The E-4B Advanced Airborne Command Post or clic on the image

The Airborne Battle Management

"Boeing Airborne Battle Management, a division of Boeing Military Aircraft, is the world leader in airborne surveillance, command and control, battle management, and airborne anti-submarine and anti-surface ship warfare."

More on The Airborne Battle Management or clic on the image