Boeing C-32

The Boeing C-32 is a military passenger transport of the United States Air Force, providing transportation for United States leaders to locations around the world. The primary users are the Vice President of the United States (using the distinctive call sign "Air Force Two"), the First Lady, and the Secretary of State. On rare occasions, other members of the U.S. Cabinet and Congressional leaders have been authorized to fly aboard the C-32 for various missions. The C-32, since its debut, has also served as Air Force One in place of the larger VC-25A to airports that cannot accommodate the Boeing 747-based "jumbo" jet.[2]

C-32
A C-32A on final approach
Role VIP transport
Manufacturer Boeing
Introduction June 1998
Status In service
Primary user United States Air Force
Number built 4[1]
Developed from Boeing 757-200

Design and development
Then Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and former President George H. W. Bush aboard a C-32 in 2007

The C-32 is a Boeing 757-200, a mid-size, narrow-body twin-engine jet airliner—that has been modified for government use, mainly a change to a 45-passenger interior and military avionics.[1]

A contract was awarded in August 1996 for four aircraft supplemented by the smaller C-37A to replace the aging fleet of VC-137 aircraft. The first aircraft was delivered to the 89th Airlift Wing[1] at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland in late June 1998.

Two further second-hand Boeing 757s were acquired in 2010 for government use although it is not clear which agency they are operated by; they have been frequently associated with the Foreign Emergency Support Team of the U.S. State Department.[3][4]

The additional two aircraft, designated C-32B, have been modified with aerial refueling equipment and extended range fuel cells giving them a 6,000 nmi (6,900 mi; 11,000 km) range.

The Trump administration included $6 million in its 2018 federal budget proposal to study replacements for the C-32A.[5]

Operational history
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Richard B. Myers Arrived at Port-au-Prince Airport with a Boeing C-32 during a visit to Haiti in 2004.
President Obama and staffers aboard a C-32A as Air Force One in 2009 showing the second and third section.

The four C-32As are operated by the 1st Airlift Squadron of the 89th Airlift Wing. They are available for use by the vice-president (using call sign Air Force Two), the first lady and members of the cabinet and congress.[1] They are also used by the President (using call sign Air Force One) if the destination is too small to support the larger VC-25.[2]

Operators
A C-32 taking off
 United States

Specifications (C-32A)

Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2003-04,[7] USAF Museum factsheet[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2 + 1 jump seat + 13 mission crew
  • Capacity: 45
  • Length: 155 ft 3 in (47.32 m)
  • Wingspan: 124 ft 10 in (38.05 m)
  • Height: 44 ft 3 in (13.49 m) at MTOW
  • Wing area: 185.25 sq ft (17.210 m2)
  • Empty weight: 128,730 lb (58,391 kg) OWE
  • Maximum zero-fuel weight: 186,000 lb (84,368 kg) MZFW
  • Max takeoff weight: 256,000 lb (116,120 kg) MTOW
  • Maximum landing weight: 210,000 lb (95,254 kg) MLW
  • Fuel capacity: 13,334 US gal (11,103 imp gal; 50,475 l) with auxiliary tanks in fwd and aft cargo holds
  • Potable water: 100 US gal (83 imp gal; 379 l)
  • Runway LCN: 36 at ramp weight of 221,000 lb (100,244 kg), optimum tyre pressures and subgrade C flexible pavement (LCN - Load classification number)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney PW2000-40[8] turbofan engines, 40,100 lbf (178 kN) thrust each

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 526 kn (605 mph, 974 km/h)
  • Maximum speed: Mach 0.86 (MMO)
  • Cruising speed: Mach 0.8
  • Approach speed: 137 kn (158 mph; 254 km/h)
  • Initial cruising height: 35,400 ft (10,790 m)
  • Range: 5,650 nmi (6,500 mi, 10,460 km)
  • Service ceiling: 42,000 ft (13,000 m)
  • Wing loading: 127.88 lb/sq ft (624.4 kg/m2)
  • Thrust/weight: 0.314
  • Take-off field length: 7,800 ft (2,377 m) at sea level 29 °C (84 °F)
  • Landing field length: 5,100 ft (1,554 m) at MLW

Avionics
mission avionics + satcom

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References
  1. Air Force C-32 factsheet. US Air Force, 12 May 2015.
  2. Choquette, Stefan. "University Park Airport Ideal Destination for Slimmer Air Force One". Onward State. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  3. "Programs and Initiatives". state.gov. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
  4. "Foreign Emergency Support Team (FEST)". US Department of State. Retrieved on May 8, 2013
  5. Weisgerber, Marcus. "Pentagon Wants to Get Started on New Air Force Two and Doomsday Planes". Defense One. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
  6. "108th Wing Fact Sheet". U.S. Air Force.
  7. Jackson, Paul, ed. (2003). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2003-04 (94th ed.). Coulsdon, Surrey, United Kingdom: Jane's Information Group. pp. 569–571. ISBN 0-7106-2537-5.
  8. "PW2000 - Pratt & Whitney". Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  • The original version of this article was from the public domain source at Air Force Link
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