The US Air Force recently acquired a new $64 million Gulfstream private jet for VIP government officials - see inside

Thomas Pallini

Jan 20, 2020, 19:32 IST

The US Air Force recently acquired a new $64 million Gulfstream private jet for VIP government officials - see inside

Kentavist Brackin/DVIDS/US Air Force

A US Air Force Gulfstream G550/C-37B

The US Air Force's 89th Airlift Wing provides travel for top government employees including the President of the United States
The wing primarily uses a fleet of modified civilian aircraft including the Boeing 747-200 used as Air Force One.
Its newest aircraft, a military variant of a Gulfstream G550, was delivered to Joint Base Andrews in late December
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The US Air Force operates a VIP transportation system for the government's top employees.

Most known for flying the president of the US on Air Force One, the Air Force also flies elected officials, cabinet secretaries, and even top generals on a fleet of VIP-configured aircraft.

As part of the Air Force's Special Air Mission, the 89th Airlift Wing based at Joint Base Andrews near Washington, DC operates a VIP fleet with the stated mission of "Enabling national interests through global transportation for America's senior leaders."

Its most frequent flyers include the president, vice president, first lady, secretary of state, secretary of defense, and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, a spokesperson for the wing told Business Insider.

The aircraft in its fleet are primarily civilian aircraft sometimes modified for military use and receive military designations, as seen with Air Force One being a modified Boing 747-200 designated as the VC-25A.

The 89th Airlift Wing recently took delivery of its newest aircraft, a Gulfstream 550 designated as a C-37B, just before Christmas. The US Navy's website says that the aircraft cost $64 million.

Though the interior of the recently-received aircraft hasn't officially been released, the Air Force provided Business Insider with photos of one of its other Gulfstream C-37Bs.

Here's a look inside one of the aircraft that the government's top officials use to jet around the world.

With seating for up to 18, according to Gulfstream, there are a variety of configurations to choose from with the G550.

Up to four people can sit on a single couch alone, maximizing the capacity of the aircraft.

Using the aircraft is one of the most secure ways for government officials to travel, but also one of the most elite.

Enlisted Air Force service members are trained to be flight attendants on the aircraft, serving the VIP guests on board.

Gulfstream boasts the range of the aircraft to be 6,750 nautical miles with eight passengers.

An Air Force pilot familiar with the C-37B told Business Insider the normal range of the aircraft with a standard load of passengers is around 5,500 nautical miles, enough to fly from Hawaii to Washington, DC nonstop.

Its twin Rolls-Royce BR710 engines enable the plane to fly at speeds as great as Mach 0.885.

The aircraft can also fly as high as 51,000 feet, according to Gulfstream, where one can see the curvature of the earth.

Former President Obama and his wife Michelle used a similar version of the aircraft for a date night to New York City in 2009.

Not all Air Force VIP aircraft are painted in the "United States of America" blue and white livery, as seen with the new arrival, with some offering government officials more privacy in a more discrete paint job.

Gulfstream delivered 500 G550s by 2015, 12 years after the aircraft entered service.

A rather unique feature of the aircraft is the ability for passengers to control the cabin's amenities such as lighting and temperature via a touchscreen device, though it's unclear whether the Air Force opted for that amenity.

The 89th Airlift Wing also operates other aircraft for VIPs, including the president's plane, Air Force One, a modified Boeing 747-200 designated as a VC-25A.

A Boeing 757-200, or C-32A, is used primarily by current Vice President Mike Pence as Air Force Two.

A Boeing 737-700 BBJ, or C-40, is used primarily by cabinet secretaries and military leaders.

The C-40 is also frequently used for overseas congressional delegation trips.

A Gulfstream III, known as the C-20, is also used for smaller missions.

The 89th Airlift Wing is also preparing for its newest arrivals, two Boeing 747-8i aircraft to be used as new Air Force One aircraft.

President Trump, who pushed for an inexpensive replacement aircraft and new paint scheme for Air Force One, frequently shows off the model of the new plane when foreign leaders to come to visit the White House.

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