Specifications - Air Force One

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Summary

The VC-25B represents the future of presidential air travel—a state-of-the-art airborne command center built for 21st-century threats and global mobility. Based on the Boeing 747-8i, it offers increased range, higher fuel efficiency, greater floor space, and updated interior architecture compared to its predecessor.

Its core mission remains unchanged: provide the President of the United States with safe, secure, and uninterrupted communication and operational capabilities during flight. The VC-25B will feature hardened communications, enhanced survivability against missile and cyber threats, and a luxurious yet functional interior tailored to executive leadership and national defense needs.

Capable of global travel with midair refueling and logistical support from accompanying military aircraft, the VC-25B will ensure the President can project leadership from the skies—whether during a diplomatic mission, national emergency, or global crisis.


General

Max Occupancy Approx. 70–100 people (crew, staff, security, press, medical, and President’s party)
Food Source Enhanced onboard galley and refrigeration systems; improved food storage and prep areas for longer missions
Air Filtration Next-gen HEPA and NBC filtration with modernized climate control and air purification systems
Network Upgraded secure DoD communication suites, satellite uplinks, global broadband, cyber-hardened comm systems
Autonomy Extended airborne endurance; aerial refueling capability; significantly increased range over VC-25A
Capacity National Airborne Operations Center–capable with increased bandwidth, mobility, and survivability
Size Based on Boeing 747-8i platform
Power Source Four General Electric GEnx-2B67 engines (each producing ~66,500 lbf of thrust)
Water Source Enhanced potable water system with greater purification and storage

Size Overview

Total Depth 250 ft 2 in (76.3 m)
Total Number of Decks 3 (flight deck, main deck, service/lower deck)
Total Horizontal Footprint 63 ft 6 in (19.4 m)
Total Floor Space Estimated 5,000+ sq ft of usable cabin space
Structural Layers Reinforced and hardened fuselage; integrated EMP shielding and upgraded classified materials
Volume Estimated ~50,000+ cubic feet of usable space
Key Facility Sizes Presidential Suite: Larger and more private living quarters with advanced communications and brief space

Conference Room/Situation Room: Expanded table seating for 12–16, high-speed secure data links, wall displays

Medical Bay: Full-size upgraded medical suite with operating table, oxygen supply, trauma gear, and emergency comms

Press Cabin: Seating and workspace for ~20 accredited members of the traveling press

Staff & Security Cabins: Divided sections with more ergonomic seating and secure storage for equipment

Backup Vehicles & Transportation Facilities

Location Maintained at Joint Base Andrews; deployable worldwide
Motorcade Fleet Ground vehicles, including “The Beast” limo, SUVs, and escort assets transported via C-17
Aircraft Primary: 2x VC-25B aircraft (expected tail numbers 30000 & 30001)

Support: C-32A, C-17 Globemaster III, C-5M Super Galaxy for support and transport
Surface & Subterranean Access N/A (airborne)
Vehicle Support Facilities VC-25B-dedicated hangars with hardened maintenance bays and secure fueling

Personnel

Executive Branch (President, VP, Cabinet) Yes – primary transport for POTUS
Federal Agency Directors (FBI, CIA, NSA, DHS, etc.) Occasionally on board for global missions
Military Personnel 25–35 USAF personnel, including pilots, flight engineers, loadmasters, security, IT, and logistics
Medical Staff At least 1–2 medical officers or flight medics
Technical & Operations Staff Onboard comms, flight ops, IT/security teams
Support Staff (maintenance, sanitation, food, admin) Airborne culinary team, stewards, cabin crew (~5–10)
General Population (residents and other civilians) 15–20 members

Defensive Systems

Defense System Upgraded countermeasures system with classified active missile defense

Infrared countermeasures, chaff/flares, and electronic jamming

Hardened avionics and flight control systems against cyber/electronic warfare

Fully EMP-shielded command sections

Decoy and secure flight routing protocols

Continuous secure comms link to White House, Pentagon, and Strategic Command