How President Obama's Limousine & Air Force One Works

[Warph]

How President Obama's Limousine Works

Imagine that you are trying to build a car that will safely carry the president of the United States. In today's world, where assassins or terrorists might try to attack from many different angles, it is a challenging problem.
 
One way to solve the problem might be to modify existing military hardware. For example, you might start with a tank. Tanks have the advantage that they are battle tested. They repel most bombs and bullets. They don't have tires that can go flat.

But there are also some problems. Tanks are incredibly heavy and wide compared to a normal car or truck, so they don't fit well on normal roads. They are also pretty intimidating - it would be hard for the president to gracefully arrive at a foreign embassy in a tank. Tanks have no windows. And it is not so easy to get in and out.

What the president needs is a car that contains many of the elements of a tank, but still looks like a car for the sake of appearances. That is, essentially, what GM's Cadillac division has done to create Obama's new limousine. The car does look something like a Cadillac because it uses bits and pieces from a real Cadillac. But everything else is custom work, with the intention of creating a rolling fortress.

The most obvious thing that people will notice about this limousine is its size. Think about the Hummer H2 for comparison. The H2 is one of the biggest cars on the road today. Obama's car will be a foot longer. When Obama stands next to his limousine, it will be almost as tall as he is.

This means that the president's limousine makes for a big target. How might a terrorist try to attack this target?

One way would be to shoot at the car with bullets or armor piercing shells. That won't work. The bodywork is reinforced with steel and titanium to create bullet-proof protection. Shooting at the windows won't work either, since they are 5 inches thick and bullet proof as well.

Another line of attack would be to try to shred the tires and disable the car. However, the tires are built to withstand almost anything. And even if the rubber is completely destroyed, there are solid "tires" attached to the rims that will allow the car to get away. The ride will be a little harsh, but the car will still go.

What if the assassin tries to plant a bomb or a mine on the road? Five inches of steel plating underneath the car will deflect the blast. The engine and radiator are protected against bullets and blasts as well.

What about some kind of chemical attack? Tanks face this same threat on a battlefield, so the limousine borrows that technology. The car is a sealed cocoon with its own air supply. There are oxygen tanks on board.

What about a night attack? The car has night vision cameras that project images onto a Heads Up Display (HUD). The driver can see in the dark.

Even the gas tank is protected with armor and filled with a special foam (like race cars use) to prevent an explosion. An automatic extinguisher system handles any fires.

Besides all of these safety features and protection systems, it is important to note that the presidential limo does not travel alone. It is always part of an impressive motorcade that features Secret Service agents, staff members and a medical team. With its police escort, a motorcade can contain dozens of vehicles.

So President Obama should be fairly safe in his limousine. Once sealed inside, however, what can he do besides read a book? For one thing, he can talk to the people riding with him. There's room for four in the back.

He also will be able to access some impressive technology. The car features a laptop computer with access to the Internet, plus a secure satellite phone system that will let him talk to anyone in the world.

All things considered, President Obama should have a nice ride wherever he goes.

 

How Air Force One Works

Air Force One is something you see in the news all the time. It is the flying White House, able to carry the president and 100 advisors and journalists across the country or around the world.

To create Air Force One, engineers started with two 747-200Bs. Yes, there are two identical Air Force Ones, so that the President can fly even when one of the planes needs maintenance. These planes are gigantic - more than 200 feet long and with three levels inside.

Inside, Air Force One looks nothing like a "normal" 747, the ones you see operated by commercial airlines. Instead of installing rows of seats, engineers looked at this airplane completely differently. They started with 4,000 square feet of floor space and started designing a deluxe flying office and hotel for the most powerful person in the world. As you walk around inside Air Force One, you realize just how unique this airplane really is.

There are three ways to board Air Force One. The president and dignitaries typically get on and off the plane using the main entrance on the middle level. Staff and crew use a door on the lower level, just underneath the main entrance. And journalists use a door on the lower level at the back of the plane. Let's assume that you board the jet with the president.

As you walk through the door you are standing in a small foyer area on the middle deck.

To your left, toward the nose of the plane, is the presidential suite. There is a spacious office for the president, a surprising medical room, a private bathroom and a bedroom. The office has a large desk and comfortable executive seating. The bedroom and bathroom have all the comforts of home. And the medical room can handle nearly any emergency.

There is a surgeon who flies with the president, and the medical room includes a complete pharmacy, x-ray equipment, emergency equipment and even an operating table.

Immediately in front of you are staircases to the upper and lower decks along with a small lounge area.

To your right the plane looks like an office suite. You walk down a hallway past the galley on your left. This kitchen is able to serve 100 people at a time, and freezers on the lower level hold up to 2,000 meals. On your right are relaxed seating areas. Just past the galley is a large conference room that takes up nearly the entire width of the plane. It comes complete with a large conference table, television sets and computers, and sectional seating along the walls. This room can comfortably accommodate 20 people.

Past the conference room is a workroom with tables and chairs for smaller meetings. Beyond that is the rear seating area and restroom. This seating area is set up with rows of seats like you might find in a First Class cabin of a commercial jet.

The upper deck is smaller and contains the airplane's cockpit, a second galley and lounge area and a communication room filled with equipment and computers. This room makes it possible for the president to talk to anyone in the world and to communicate securely with the Pentagon.

The technology doesn't stop there. Air Force One has a number of features not available on your normal 747. For example, Air Force One can handle aerial refueling so that, in an emergency, the plane does not have to land. The plane also has electronic countermeasures equipment that can help jam enemy radar. It also has a flare system that can outwit heat-seeking missiles.

Air Force One is truly a unique aircraft. Even so, the Air Force is starting to consider its replacement. It has been in service since the 1990s, and after 15 years it is getting to be time for a new model. The Air Force could use new 747s, or it might go with the A380 - currently the largest commercial plane available. It will be fascinating to see what the next generation of Air Force One looks like.

[Teresa]

Wonder what it cost us to build that?

[Diane Amberg]

How about $325 Mil.