A380 May Be The Next Air Force 1!!

Steyr

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2007/10/17/218681/exclusive-us-considers-airbus-a380-as-air-force-one-and-potentially-a-c-5-replacement.html

EXCLUSIVE: US considers Airbus A380 as Air Force One and potentially a C-5 replacement
By Stephen Trimble

The Airbus A380 has attracted interest from the US Air Force (USAF) as a cargo freighter and as a large VIP transport in the Air Force One class, says an industry source.

EADS last summer responded to two separate inquiries by the USAF’s Air Mobility Command (AMC) about the A380, which is a double-decker jet delivered to Singapore Airlines on 15 October after a long delay.

AMC’s first request asked EADS to submit data about the A380F Freighter for potential use as a military airlifter, the source said, adding that the company has submitted a reply and expects an invitation to make a presentation in December to AMC officials.



The request may be linked to the USAF’s ongoing review of a potentially over-budget re-engining and reliability improvement programme for the Lockheed Martin C-5 fleet. Lockheed insists the programme can be accomplished within the current budget, but USAF estimates indicate a 50% to 100% cost growth.

USAF officials were not immediately available to comment.

Separately, AMC also requested data from EADS about three Airbus jets as part of a market survey for “VIP Large Aircraft Recapitalization”, the source said. The survey solicited data about the A380, A340-600 and A330-200.

The USAF may soon need to recapitalize the VC-25 Air Force One and the US Navy also may face similar pressure to replace the E-4 Looking Glass airborne command post. Both aircraft are based on the Boeing 747-200 and entered service in the early 1990s. Many commercial airliners are retiring the 747-200 due to age and fuel inefficiency.

Boeing’s Global Support Systems (GSS) division is aware that the USAF may need to replace the VC-25 with a new model and intends to offer the Boeing 747-8, which features new engines and wings and is scheduled to enter service in 2009.

Retaining the company’s historic monopoly on the Air Force One fleet is the GSS division’s top priority, Boeing officials say.

Recent acquisition contracts show that presidential aircraft fleets are not immune from transatlantic competition. In 2004, the US Navy selected an Italian-British helicopter design – the EH101 -- offered by Lockheed for the next presidential helicopter.

The Lockheed product, which has since faced cost and technical problems, beat a rival bid from incumbent “Marine One” supplier Sikorsky.

AMC’s two separate requests for Airbus jets arrived as EADS prepared a bid for the KC-X tanker contract based on the A330-200 converted freighter. The US Special Operations Command, meanwhile, has previously asked EADS for information about the A400M. Another EADS division, Eurocopter, is supplying the EC145 to the US Army as a light utility helicopter.

RoundyMooney

:eek:

I can't see this happening tbh.

If the US .gov turn around and buy "foreign" as it were, there would be a public outcry.

Then again, the Bush administration has made a name for itself for ploughing its own furrow, as it were, and not in a positive way.

The US populace take pride in supporting their own, although most of it is passive, and restricted to bemoaning the demise of dinosaur auto producers, and overpriced electronics goods.

To deviate from Boeing is something I can't see them doing.

jackofalltrades

steyr wrote:

The USAF may soon need to recapitalize the VC-25 Air Force One and the US Navy also may face similar pressure to replace the E-4 Looking Glass airborne command post. Both aircraft are based on the Boeing 747-200 and entered service in the early 1990s.

I can't see the US using a Non-US plane for Air Force One given the prestige and the publicity involved.

Steyr

jackofalltrades wrote: »

I can't see the US using a Non-US plane for Air Force One given the prestige and the publicity involved.

Well "Marine 1" is going to be a Merlin Helicopter....And the KC135's are going to be replaced by European AC too.

conor_mc

Steyr wrote: »

Well "Marine 1" is going to be a Merlin Helicopter....And the KC135's are going to be replaced by European AC too.

True - but Air Force One is the US flagship.

Marine One is just for hopping between the White House and Camp David. It's a whole different ball game if you're flying into Moscow and want to remind Putin who's top dog.

Mailman

Cost over-runs might not be so bad if the obvious supplier now has a competitor at the table.

lostexpectation

doesn't that limit the number of airports it can land at, is airforce one already c5, I guess that needs long strips aswell or does it not ?

jmayo

lostexpectation wrote: »

doesn't that limit the number of airports it can land at, is airforce one already c5, I guess that needs long strips aswell or does it not ?

Air Force One is the air traffic control call sign of any United States Air Force aircraft carrying the President of the United States , whereas Air Force Two is the call sign of any aircraft carrying the Vice President.

Air Force One is usually the term given to either of the two biggies, the VC-25As, which is military designation for the Boeing 747s that are used for the major transport function.
For shorter runways they use a C-32, military designation for Boeing 757.

Marine 1 has been a Sikorsky VH-3 Sea King, although Lockheed Martin has been given job of providing new helicopters.
The VH-71 aircraft is based on the AgustaWestland EH101, and is due to come into service between 2009 and 2014.

It doesn't look so bad, to Americans, since Lockheed Martin is involved in the loop.
But giving gig to Airbus for new AirForce One would never wash with good old boys back home in USA.

Steyr

jmayo wrote: »

The VH-71 aircraft is based on the AgustaWestland EH101, and is due to come into service between 2009 and 2014.

She is already based and undergoing flight tests in the UK.