Brazilian Air Force One
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| VC-1A "Brazilian Air Force One" | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| President Lula disembarks the VC-1A, Brazilian Air Force One | |
| Role | Presidential transport |
| Manufacturer | Airbus |
| Introduced | 15 January 2005 |
| Status | Active service |
| Primary user | Brazilian Air Force |
| Produced | 2004-2005 |
| Number built | 1 |
| Unit cost | R$156 million |
| Developed from | Airbus A319 |
Brazilian Air Force One is the Brazilian Air Force call sign of the aircraft carrying the President of Brazil. On international flights the aircraft uses the Brazilian Air Force ICAO code BRS01 and callsign Brazilian Air Force 01. The Special Transport Group (GTE) is the unit of the Brazilian Air Force responsible for transporting the President, Vice-President and other senior government officials.
Contents |
[edit] Main aircraft (VC-1A)
The main presidential aircraft currently used to transport the President of Brazil is a modified version of the Airbus A319, with tail number 2101. It was designated by the Brazilian Air Force as VC-1A, and officially named "Santos Dumont". It is used to transport the President on all medium and long-range international flights.
.jpg)
[edit] Cabin configuration and security
The VC-1A differs from standard A319 in features and security configuration. The cabin is divided into three separate sections. The first section (near the cockpit) is the presidential area of the aircraft, configured with a private office, a presidential suite, a meeting room and a security office. The middle section is configured with first-class seats reserved for authorities and senior staff. The rear section is configured with 20 business-class seats reserved for journalists and other passengers. The aircraft is also equipped with an Intensive Care Unit, three galleys and satellite communications.
The aircraft was designed to serve as an airborne command post, allowing the president to fully conduct his duties from the air in the event of political instability or armed conflict. For that purpose, the plane is equipped with a number of military defense capabilities, such as anti-aircraft missile countermeasures and a Radar Warning Receiver. To guarantee the protection of classified and sensitive information, the aircraft is linked with the "SISCOMIS" (Brazilian Military Communications Satellite) which can be used to transfer data, image and voice between the aircraft and Brasília.
[edit] Specifications
.jpg)
Data from Brazilian Air Force[1]
General characteristics
- Crew: 12 (2 pilots, cabin crew)
- Capacity: 40 passengers
- Length: 111 ft (33.8 m)
- Wingspan: 111 ft 10 in (34.1 m)
- Height: 38 ft 7 in (11.7 m)
- Wing area: ft² (m²)
- Empty weight: lb (kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 166,500 lb (75,500 kg)
- Powerplant: 2× IAE V2500 turbofan engines, 27,000 lbf (120 kN) each
Performance
- Cruise speed: .82 Mach
- Range: 3,700 nm (4,300 mi, 6,800 km) unrefueled
- Service ceiling: 41,000 ft (12,000 m)
[edit] Secondary aircraft (VC-2)
Two modified Embraer 190 jets, Air Force designation VC-2, are used for presidential travel within Brazil and South America. The Brazilian Air Force purchased the aircraft on June 2, 2008 to substitute the two Boeing 737-2N3 (VC-96) that were previously used for short-range presidential transport. Comfort, safety, performance and technology were the priorities for choosing the new Embraer jets. The aircraft is configured with special communications systems, a private presidential office and a meeting room. It has the capacity for carrying 40 passengers with a range of over 2,500 miles.[2]
[edit] Specifications
Data from Embraer[3]
General characteristics
- Crew: 10 (2 pilots, cabin crew)
- Capacity: 40 passengers
- Length: 118 ft 11 in (36.24 m)
- Wingspan: 94 ft 3 in (28.72 m)
- Height: 34 ft 8 in (10.54 m)
- Wing area: ft² (m²)
- Empty weight: lb (kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 110,892 lb (50,300 kg)
- Powerplant: 2× GE CF34-10E turbofan engines, 18,500 lbf () each
Performance
- Cruise speed: .82 Mach
- Range: 2,400 nm (2,763 mi, 4,448 km) unrefueled
- Service ceiling: 41,000 ft (12,000 m)
[edit] Other aircraft
Along with the VC-1A and the VC-2s, 19 other aircraft are part of the fleet:
- Two VIP-configured Eurocopter Super Puma (VH-34) presidential helicopters.
- Two VIP-configured Embraer ERJ-145 (VC-99C) aircraft.
- Ten Embraer ERJ-145 (C-99A) jets.
- Two Helibrás HB-355 Esquilo (VH-55) helicopters.
- Three Gates Learjet 35 (VU-35) jets.
- Two Eurocopter EC 135 (VH-35) helicopters
The VIP fleet is stationed at Brasília Air Force Base (BABR).
[edit] Former aircraft
Former aircraft used exclusively for transporting the President of Brazil:
- A Lockheed C-66 Lodestar (VC-66) was the first presidential aircraft, acquired in 1941 during the term of President Getúlio Vargas.
- Two Vickers Viscount (VC-90) were bought in 1954 by President Juscelino Kubitschek to substitute the VC-66.
- Two BAC One-Elevens (VC-92) were acquired by President Costa e Silva in 1968. They were the first jet airplanes used for presidential transport in Brazil.
- Two Boeing 737 (VC-96) were purchased in substitution of the VC-92s, during the administration of President Ernesto Geisel, in 1976.
- A Boeing 707-300 was acquired in 1986 by President José Sarney and served the Presidency until its substitution in 2005 for the current Airbus 319 ACJ.
[edit] Notes
- ^ "FAB 001 Technical Specs". FAB: Aeronaves. http://www.fab.mil.br/portal/aeronaves/htm/acj.htm. Retrieved on 2006-11-06.
- ^ Embraer provides Embraer 190 jets to Brazilian Government Embraer. Retrieved on 2009-01-31.
- ^ "Embraer 190 Overview". Embraer. http://www.embraercommercialjets.com.br/english/content/ejets/emb_190.asp. Retrieved on 2009-01-31.
[edit] References
- "Associated Air Center awarded contract for completion of new ACJ for Brazilian Head of State" (PDF). Piedmont Hawthorne. 2004-04-12. http://www.piedmonthawthorne.com/news_events/press_releases/2004/2004-0412-03.pdf. Retrieved on 2006-09-07.
- "New Air Force One for President Lula". MercoPress. http://www.mercopress.com/vernoticia.do?id=3138&formato=html. Retrieved on 2006-07-06.
- "Avião de US$ 57 milhões chega amanhã" (in Portuguese). Correio Braziliense. http://www.aer.mil.br/imprensa/enotimp/2005/01-JAN/enotimp012.htm. Retrieved on 2006-10-30.
- "FAB 001, O Avião Presidencial" (in Portuguese). Defesa BR. http://www.defesabr.com/Fab/Presid/fab_presidente.htm. Retrieved on 2006-07-30.
- "Avião Presidencial faz parte do Sistema de Defesa Brasileiro" (in Portuguese) (PDF). Brazilian Air Force. 2005-01-17. http://www.fab.mil.br/imprensa/Noticias/2005/jan/1701_1acj_sistemadeDefesa.pdf. Retrieved on 2007-05-31.
- "Ficha técnica do ACJ-319 Santos-Dumont" (in Portuguese) (PDF). Brazilian Air Force. 2005-01-28. http://www.fab.mil.br/imprensa/Noticias/2005/jan/2801_ficAha_tecnica_ACJ.pdf. Retrieved on 2007-05-31.
- "Recebimento da aeronave Presidencial" (in Portuguese) (PDF). Brazilian Air Force. 2005-01-17. http://www.fab.mil.br/imprensa/Noticias/2005/jan/1701_3recebimento_acj.pdf. Retrieved on 2007-05-31.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Brazilian Air Force One |
- Brazilian Air Force VC-1A technical stats and photos (Portuguese)
- Spotter: Grupo de Transporte Especial Information and photos (Portuguese)
- Defesa Brasil: FAB 001 VC-1A and VC-2 information and photos (Portuguese)
|
|||||||
