US President Donald Trump will be visiting India from February 24-25, 2020. The aircrafts that are responsible for the US President’s transport is called as the ‘Air Force 1’. All US Presidents have had two aircrafts since 1991. One that is in operation and the other that is kept on a standby. In fact, the term “Air Force 1” is a radio sign of the President’s aircraft and the aircraft then went to be called Air Force 1.
This mighty aircraft transports the world’s most powerful leader around the globe. It has been designed to handle attacks of all nature and is considered to be a visual delight when flying in the skies. The aircraft is also called the ‘Flying Oval Office’.
Here is all you need to know about it;
Which aircraft is it? And what is it capable of?
> It is a Boeing 747- 200 B series aircraft. It carries the tail codes 28000 and 29000.
> The Aircraft weighs 80,000 pounds.
> Its presence is visible! It has “United States of America”, the US flag and the Presidential seal on it.
> The Aircraft is capable of mid-air refuelling.
> It has hardened on-board electronics that is capable of withstanding electromagnetic impulses from nuclear attacks. The advanced communication systems are also fully secure and can operate as a command centre, in case of any emergency. The top layer of the aircraft has a tele-communication tower.
> There are 85 phones for classified and unclassified communication.
> It features armoured windows.
> Each exit window is equipped with its own staircase so that the aircraft need not depend on foreign entities.
> The Aircraft is maintained by the Presidential Aircraft Group, which is part of the White House Military Office.
> According to information obtained by an application under the Freedom of Information Act, it has been revealed that it takes US $206, 337 every hour to maintain this aircraft.
How is the aircraft from inside?
> Inside the aircraft, the President and his advisers enjoy 4000 square feet across three floors.
> There is an extensive Presidential suite that hosts of a large conference room, a large office, a bedroom and lavatories.
> A medical suite that has a doctor on board. This is in addition to a separate medical room where emergency related medical procedures can be performed.
> Two food preparation galleys that can feed around 2000 people at any given point of time.
> The Air Force 1 also has space for the President’s advisors, Secret service personnel, media delegation, business delegation and other guests. The guests are provided with rooms on board the aircraft.
> Normally, it is the practice that the President’s requirements are transported ahead of his visit on cargo planes and everything is ready before his arrival.
> The Aircraft is also said to host defence equipment that can tackle enemy objects that may target the aircraft. However, the nature of these are not known.
The President will be visiting India and will be in Ahmedabad, Agra and New Delhi.