Top 15 Technologies
12.
U.S. Air Force awaits delivery of the first C-32A
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The C-32As forward fuselage, Section 41, is being assembled at Boeing Aircraft Co.
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The first of four C-32As, to be delivered to the U.S. Air Force (USAF), is being built at Boeing's production facility in Wichita, Kansas, USA. Upon completion of the aircraft's forward fuselage, section 41, the fuselage sections will be shipped by rail to Renton, Washington, USA, for final assembly. The C-32A aircraft, a slightly modified Boeing 757-200, will replace the aging 1950s Boeing VC-137 aircraft which was used for executive and congressional airlift operations.
The exterior of the C-32A will be identical to most commercial 757s in service, with the exception of several additional antennas. However, the interior of the C-32A will be designed to provide office space and communications equipment unique to its mission. Some C-32A features include a flight management system with an integrated, approach-capable global positioning system; an integrated windshear and ground proximity warning system; traffic alert and collision avoidance systems; and the most recent flight-data and voice-recorder systems available.
Upon Federal Aviation Administration certification, the USAF expects to take delivery of the first two C-32As early next year. The aircraft will be part of the 89th Airlift Wing at Andrews Air Force Base.
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