Air Force One is the call sign given to any Air Force plane carrying a U.S. president. The first plane built specifically for use by the U.S. president was the “Sacred Cow,” a Douglas VC-54C Skymaster used by President Franklin D. Roosevelt beginning in 1944.
Since then, presidential aircraft have evolved with state-of-the-art technology to function as a “flying White House,” equipped with all the capabilities of the Oval Office and the Situation Room.
### Presidential Jets
Former President Donald Trump’s Air Force One jet, a VC-25A, measures 231 feet long and features 4,000 square feet of offices, rest areas, an executive stateroom with a full bathroom and dressing room, and a conference room. It can hold 30 crew members and 71 passengers.
At 155 feet long, the C-32 is smaller than the VC-25A, accommodating 16 crew members and 45 passengers. It usually functions as the vice president’s plane, but the president uses it to fly into and out of smaller airports that aren’t built to support the massive primary Air Force One aircraft.
With Boeing running years behind schedule on delivering new 747-8 Air Force One planes, President Trump looked elsewhere in his efforts to upgrade the presidential fleet. In May, he accepted a 747-8 that had been a private business jet donated by the Qatari royal family, stating he’d be “stupid” to turn down the gift. This luxurious jet features spacious interiors with lounges, offices, dining areas, and bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms.
### The E-4B National Emergency Aircraft
In the event of a national emergency such as a nuclear attack, the E-4B can protect the president and other senior officials while serving as the U.S. military’s command and control center. This militarized version of a Boeing 747-200, known as the “doomsday plane,” can refuel mid-flight to stay airborne for days at a time. It features thermal and nuclear shielding along with far more communication capabilities than the regular Air Force One planes.
### Marine One Helicopters
Like Air Force One, any Marine Corps aircraft carrying the president uses the call sign Marine One. Helicopter models used include the VH-60N White Hawk, which can fit 11 passengers, and the Sikorsky VH-3D Sea King, which can fit 14.
The president often flies shorter distances in Marine One to places such as Joint Base Andrews and Camp David as a faster alternative to the presidential motorcade. The helicopter’s interior is soundproofed, allowing the president and staff to speak at a normal volume without being overheard.
The Sikorsky VH-92A was intended to replace the VH-60N and VH-3D Marine One helicopters by 2023 but was taken out of service after repeatedly scorching the White House lawn. According to The War Zone, the project has been delayed until 2030. The VH-92A is 69 feet long and can hold four crew members and 14 passengers.
### Presidential Ground Transportation
The presidential limousine, known as “The Beast,” weighs 20,000 pounds and is designed to look like a Cadillac XT6 with the chassis of a Chevrolet Kodiak. It is bulletproof, sealed against biochemical attacks, and even stocked with a refrigerator containing the president’s blood type. It travels with the U.S. president both domestically and abroad and can seat up to seven people.
In addition to The Beast, the presidential golf cart appears to be a Polaris Ranger XP utility task vehicle (UTV). It was first spotted in July as part of Trump’s entourage while golfing at his Trump Turnberry golf resort in Scotland.
A Secret Service spokesperson told Business Insider in July:
“The U.S. Secret Service employs a variety of tools and resources to safeguard our protectees. This vehicle is part of our presidential fleet of specialty vehicles. In order to maintain operational security, the Secret Service does not discuss the specific means and methods used to conduct our protective operations.”
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From the soaring heights of Air Force One to the secure interiors of The Beast, the presidential fleet symbolizes the blend of luxury, security, and functionality that ensures the safety and efficiency of the U.S. president’s travel across the globe.
https://www.businessinsider.com/presidents-planes-vehicles-air-force-one-marine-one-photos
