When US President Donald Trump visited India in February, the most discussed was about his car and his plane. The plane Trump travels with is Airforce One. It is considered the safest aircraft in the world. The aircraft that Trump has, the same plane is now going to come to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind as well. This is the Boeing 777-300ER, designed by the American company Boeing. Although the aircraft owned by Trump is a Boeing 747, but both these aircraft have the same features.
India has purchased three aircraft, two of which are for VVIP. One of these aircraft is scheduled to arrive this week. There are only three people in India who are VVIPs. First is President Kovind, second is Vice President Venkaiah Naidu and third is Prime Minister Modi.
There is a squadron of the Airforce at Palam Airport in Delhi, also known as Air Headquarters Communication Squadron or VVIP Squadron. This squadron consists of the same aircraft that take the VVIP to international and domestic visits.
What is unique about the new aircraft that India is getting? When will they be ready for flight? Know the answers to some such questions from retired Air Marshal Anil Chopra ...
What is special about a new aircraft?
Safety has been the most taken care of in the new fleet. The new aircraft have an Integrated Defense Electronic Warfare Suite (AIDEWS), which protects the plane from electronic threats. These aircraft have Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAICRM) self-protection suits, which help detect and jam the missile coming towards the aircraft. The system is available under a special package, which costs $ 190 million. It also has 12 Guardian laser transmitter assemblies, missile warning sensors, and counter-major dispensing systems. The Defense Security Co-operation Agency of America has also given its clearance.
These aircraft have the latest security and communication systems. The aircraft can withstand grenades and rocket attacks. Some reports also say that fuel can be filled in the air itself. However, no confirmation has been made yet.
Can fly continuously for 17 hours
The aircraft not only has the best self-defense equipment, but the aircraft is also equipped with two GE90-115BL engines, the most powerful engine in the world. The Boeing 777-300ER can fly up to 17 hours at a time and can also travel long distances between India to the US. That too without refueling. That is, one-time fuel can fly long distances. This is because this aircraft is very big and its fuel capacity is also high. The Boeing 747 did not have this capability before.
PMO will reach air
The aircraft will function like a mini PMO and also has secure mobile and satellite phones and communication facilities. The aircraft also has a separate space for conferencing.
Also, VVIPs and senior officers have separate seats to sit. It also has a kitchen. The aircraft will also have on-board medical staff and a small operating theater.
Two such aircraft are expected to arrive in the first week of September. Due to coronavirus, their delivery is getting delayed for two months.
How did India get the Boeing 777-300 ER?
The purchase of the new aircraft was being discussed for a long time. The need was also felt that the new aircraft should be two-engine or four-engine. The government chose the Boeing 777-300 ER to replace the Boeing 747.
In 2006, Air India ordered 68 aircraft to Boeing. This includes 27 Dreamliners, 15 Boeing 777-300ERs, 8 Boeing 777-200 LRs, and 18 Boeing 737-800s.
India has received three Boeing 777-300 ERs on 24 January 2018. Two of these have been sent back to the US for VVIP modification.
The Boeing 777-300 ER will not be used commercially at all on the lines of the US President's Airforce One. Like before, Boeing-747 aircraft also had commercial use and were also used for VVIP. The defense ministry will buy the Boeing 777-300 ER from Air India and will start using it by September 2020.
One more thing that these new aircraft will be flown by Airforce pilots, not Air India. However, the responsibility of the maintenance of these aircraft will be with Air India Engineering Services Limited, which is a subsidiary of Air India.
US President has Air Force One
The aircraft that the US President travels on is called Airforce One. In 1943 it was thought that there should be a special aircraft for the visit of the US President. At that time, the US Army and the Airforce converted a C-54 Skymaster for Presidential Use. The first US President Franklin D. Roosevelt traveled by this aircraft in February 1945. His later President Harry S. Trueman also used it for 2 years.
In 1953, the American company Lockheed designed the aircraft named 'Columbine II', for the first time traveled by David D Eisenhower. Lockheed then also produced 'Columbine III'. In the 1960s and 70s, Boeing designed two aircraft Boeing 707.
Since 1990, the US President's fleet has included two Boeing VC-25As, a customized version of the Boeing 747-200B. After this, American Airforce has ordered two Boeing 747-8, which will be the next Airforce One.
New aircraft will be for VVIP only
The 'Airforce One' or 'Air India One' aircraft being prepared for India will be for VVIP only and only. Till now it used to be that the aircraft used for VVIP were earlier commercial aircraft. Currently, the Indian Air Force fleet consists of Embraer Jet.
The new Boeing 777-300ER coming to India will have 'Bharat' written in Hindi and English language and there will be a national emblem in the middle. Whereas, the tricolor will be made on its tail. Just as the American President's aircraft carries an American flag.
VVIP Squadron for VVIP aircraft?
The squadron was formed on 1 November 1947 at the Airforce station at Palam Airport. There have been different VVIP aircraft from time to time. Such as Dakota DC-3, Devon, IL-14, Viscount, Avro HH-748, L-1049 Super Constellation, TU-124K, Boeing 737, MI-4, and MI-8. Currently, it has three Boeing business jets, 4 Embraer-135 aircraft, and 6 Mi-8 helicopters.
It also has Boeing 747-400 aircraft from which VVIP International and Domestic visit. However, this aircraft operates Air India. Because aircraft are deployed here for VVIP visits, it is also called VVIP Squadron.
When the President goes on a foreign trip, his expenses are borne by the Air Force. Whereas, the Vice President's foreign travel expenses are met by the Ministry of External Affairs and the PMO's foreign travel expenses.
Characteristic of aircraft involved in VVIP squadron
1. Embraer can takeoff from 135: 1800 m runway
The Embraer 135 is a twin-turbofan-engine jet. It is designed by the Brazilian aerospace company Embraer. The aircraft was inducted into the VVIP squadron in September 2005 as a replacement for Avro.
The weight of this aircraft is 22 thousand 570 kg and its fuel capacity is up to 8,300 kg. With 10 passengers it can fly for a distance of 3,100 nautical miles.
It has a 40 cubic meter cabin, which can seat 12 passengers. There is also a VIP cabin, which can seat 4 passengers.
One of the features of this aircraft is that it can land on takeoff on 1800 meter runway and 1400 meter runway. Besides, the aircraft comes with a missile deflecting system, a modern flight management system, a global positioning system as well as category-2 instrument landing system, and other navigation systems.
2. Boeing Business Jet: Office and bedroom also for VVIP
It is a 737 series aircraft of American company Boeing. This aircraft has a seating capacity of 25 to 50 passengers. The Airforce has three aircraft. Their names are Ambassador, Flamingo, and Rajkamal. They cost 93.4 billion rupees, including a self-protection suite of 20 billion rupees, or SPS. The SPS includes Radar Warning System, Missile Approach Warning, and Counter Major System. If someone takes a missile on this aircraft by taking it on the radar, then this aircraft can distance itself from that missile.
The aircraft also has an office and a bedroom for VVIP. Every passenger traveling in this plane has a color photo identity. Official delegation sits in the first class of this aircraft. Whereas, the security personnel and other employees sit in the general classification. This aircraft is commonly used for domestic visits or travel to neighboring countries.
3. Boeing 747-400: its service for 22 years
It is also an aircraft made by the American company Boeing, which is an advanced version of the Boeing 747. Its range is 1850 km more than the basic model of Boeing 747. It has been in commercial service since February 1989. From 1989 to 2009, it has been the best selling aircraft of the Boeing 747 family.
Currently, Air India has four Boeing 747-400 aircraft in its fleet, which are used for VVIP. However, these aircraft have been in service for 22 years, so they are not even used much now. This is the reason why new aircraft are being bought now.
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