Boeing C-137 Stratoliner
C-137 Stratoliner C-18 | |
---|---|
A VC-137B Stratoliner aircraft taking off in 1981 | |
Role | Passenger/VIP transport |
National origin | United States |
Manufacturer | Boeing |
First flight | 31 December 1958 |
Status | Retired |
Primary user | United States Air Force |
Produced | 1954–1965 |
Developed from | Boeing 707 |
Variants | Boeing CC-137 VC-137C SAM 26000 VC-137C SAM 27000 |
TheBoeing C-137 Stratolineris a retired VIPtransport aircraftderived from theBoeing 707jet airlinerused by theUnited States Air Force.Other nationsalso bought both new and used 707s for military service, primarily as VIP or tanker transports. In addition, the 707 served as the basis for several specialized versions, such as theE-3 SentryAWACS aircraft. The designationC-18covers several later variants based on the 707-320B/C series. The C-137 should not be confused with the similarBoeing C-135 Stratolifter;although they share a common ancestor the two aircraft have different fuselages, among other structural differences.
Development
[edit]US Air Force procurement of the Boeing 707 was very limited, amounting to three Model 707-153s designated VC-137A. When delivered in 1959 these had four 13,500 lb (6,100 kg) dry thrustPratt & Whitney J57(JT3C6) turbojets; when subsequently re-engined with 18,000 lbf (80 kN) dry thrustTF33-P-5(JT3D) turbofans they were redesignated VC-137B. Only one other variant served with the Air Force: this was theVC-137CAir Force OnePresidential transport, the two examples of which were Model 707-320B Intercontinentals with specialized interior furnishings and advanced communications equipment. Two further C-137C aircraft lacking Presidential transport modifications were later added.[1]
To supplement its VC-137s, the USAF converted several C-135 airframes to VC-135 VIP standard, and these were used for staff transport mainly within the United States.[1]
Variants
[edit]C-18
[edit]The C-18 is the US military designation for the conversions of the 707-320B series.
- C-18A
- Eight second-hand (formerAmerican Airlines) 707-323Cs bought as crew trainers for the EC-18Bs, four later converted to EC-18B, two converted to EC-18D, one to C-18B; one was not taken into service and was used for spares.
- C-18B
- One C-18A modified with instrumentation and equipment to support theMilitary Strategic and Tactical Relay System(MILSTAR).[2]
- EC-18B
- Four C-18As modified alongsideexamples of the C-135for Advanced Range Instrumentation Aircraft (ARIA) missions in support of theApollo space program.[2]The designationE-7was originally applied to modified Boeing 707s before being replaced by the EC-18 designation.[3]
- EC-18C
- Original designation for two prototype J-STAR aircraft, later redesignated E-8A.
- EC-18D
- Two C-18As modified as a Cruise Missile Mission Control Aircraft (CMMCA).[2]
- TC-18E
- Two second-hand (formerTrans World Airlines) 707-331 aircraft modified for E-3 pilot and crew training.[2]
- TC-18F
- Two second-hand (formerTAP Portugal) 707-382 aircraft modified for E-6 pilot training.[2]
C-137 Stratoliner
[edit]The USAF purchased a number of 707s under the C-137 series of designations:
- VC-137A
- Three 707-153s (58-6970, 58-6971, 58-6972) with a 22-passenger VIP interior and provision for use as an airborne command post, re-designated VC-137B.
- VC-137B
- The three VC-137As re-engined with fourPratt & Whitney JT3D-3 engines, operated by the 89th Military Airlift Wing, redesignated C-137B.
- C-137B
- The three VC-137Bs redesignated when downgraded from VIP role.
- VC-137C
- Two 707-353Bs (62-6000 and 72-7000) were purchased by the USAF (one in 1961 and one in 1972) for service aspresidential transportswith call signsSAM 26000andSAM 27000;later redesignated C-137C.
- C-137C
- The two VC-137Cs were redesignated when downgraded from presidential use. SAM 26000 and SAM 27000 were retired in 1998 and 2001 respectively. Both are now in aviation museums. Two further C-137Cs were acquired by the USAF on 24 March 1988, one 707-396C (a seized aircraft formerly used for arms smuggling acquired in 1985) and one 707-382B bought second hand in 1987. Their assigned tail numbers were 85-6973 and 85-6974. Tail 85-6973 would later be converted into anE-8C JSTARS.[4]
- EC-137D
- Two aircraft built as Early Warning and Control System prototypes. Later re-engined and re-designated E-3A. A further second-hand 707-355C aircraft was acquired and configured as an airborne special operations command post.
Other US variants
[edit]- Boeing E-3 Sentry
- Airborne warning and control system(AWACS) aircraft that provides all-weather surveillance, command, control and communications, to theUnited States,NATOand other air defense forces. Based on the 707-320B, production ended in 1992 after 68 had been built.
- Boeing E-6 Mercury
- A version of the 707-320, it operates as an airborne command post and communications center, relaying instructions from theNational Command Authority.Its role in relaying to thefleet ballistic missile submarines,known as "Take Charge and Move Out", gives it the suffixTACAMO.Only one version of the E-6 currently exists, the E-6B. The E-6B is an upgraded version of the E-6A that now includes a battlestaff area for theUSSTRATCOM Airborne Command Post
- Northrop Grumman E-8 Joint STARS
- The E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (Joint STARS) is a USAF airborne battle management and command and control (C2) platform that conducts ground surveillance to develop an understanding of the enemy situation and to support attack operations and targeting that contributes to the delay, disruption and destruction of enemy forces.
Variants of other militaries
[edit]- CC-137 Husky
- Canadian Forcesdesignation for the 707-347C. Five were purchased new in 1970.
- KC-137
- Brazilian Air Force[5][6]
- 707
- IRIAFoperates 707 Tankers and Transports.
- 707 Re’em
- TheIsraeli Air Forceoperates an undisclosed[7]number (sources[8]suggest 7) of converted Boeing 707s with flying booms in120 ( "Desert Giants" ) Squadron.Israel's fleet are former civilian aircraft adapted for military uses such as aerial refueling of fighter jets and transport. Able to carry 20 extra fuel tanks while modified for aerial refueling, the Re’ems can be adapted to carry passengers as well as cargo such as military equipment and ammunition. Following the outbreak of theCOVID-19 pandemicin 2020, the planes have also been used to carry medical equipment.
- 707T/T
- The 707 Tanker/Transport.Italypurchased and converted four 707s, two to tankers and two to a straight freighter. No 707 tankers remain operational as of 3 April 2008.[9]Also,Omega Aerial Refueling Servicesoperates K707 tankers for lease.[10]
- KE-3A
- TheRoyal Saudi Air Forcepurchased eight E-3 airframes configured as aerial refueling tankers.
- Condor
- Airborne Early Warning, Command and Control (AEWC&C) aircraft developed in conjunction with Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) using a former Lan Chile aircraft.
- CT-49A[11]/707TCA
- Three ex-Sabena airliners converted to TCA (Trainer Cargo Aircraft) in 1989 to support the NATO NAEWF E-3A training and air transport/cargo based on Boeing 707-320B. The aircraft were capable of making dry hookups with the USAF Flying Boom air-to-air refuelling system for training of pilots that were new to NAEWF, but also served as cargo/passenger transport. The two oldest/highest time 707s were replaced by two former Luftwaffe 707s in 1999. NAEWF withdrew the TCAs in 2011.[12]
Operators
[edit]Aircraft on display
[edit]The following aircraft are on public display:
- 58-6970Model 707-120 USAF VC-137BSAM 970 - "Queenie",a former Air Force One jet, first used by Eisenhower, is on display at theMuseum of Flight,Seattle, WA.[13]
- 58-6971Model 707-153 USAF VC-137B is on display at thePima Air and Space Museumadjacent toDavis-Monthan AFBinTucson, AZ.This aircraft became known as"Freedom One"after serving in the return of the American hostages from Tehran, Iran in 1981.[14]
- 62-6000Model 707-320B (VC-137CSAM 26000), a former Air Force One aircraft, is on display at theNational Museum of the United States Air ForceatWright-Patterson AFBnearDayton, Ohio.
- 72-7000Model 707-353B (VC-137CSAM 27000), a former Air Force One aircraft, is on display at theRonald Reagan Presidential LibraryinSimi Valley, California.
Specifications (VC-137C)
[edit]General characteristics
- Length:152 ft 11 in (46.61 m)
- Wingspan:145 ft 9 in (44.42 m)
- Height:42 ft 5 in (12.93 m)
- Wing area:3,010 sq ft (279.63 m2)
- Empty weight:98,466 lb (44,663 kg)
- Gross weight:297,000 lb (135,000 kg)
- Max takeoff weight:327,000 lb (148,325 kg)
- Powerplant:4 ×Pratt & WhitneyTF33-PW-102turbofan engines, 18,000 lbf (80 kN) thrust each
Performance
- Maximum speed:627 mph (1,009 km/h, 545 kn)
- Cruise speed:600 mph (966 km/h, 520 kn)
- Range:7,610 mi (12,247 km, 6,610 nmi)
- Service ceiling:50,000 ft (15,200 m)
- Rate of climb:4,900 ft/min (25 m/s)
See also
[edit]Related development
- VC-137C SAM 26000
- VC-137C SAM 27000
- Boeing 707
- Boeing C-135 Stratolifter
- Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker
- Boeing CC-137
- Boeing E-3 Sentry
- Boeing E-6 Mercury
- Northrop Grumman E-8 Joint STARS
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
References
[edit]- ^abGunston, Bill.The Encyclopedia of Modern Warplanes,p. 64. Aerospace Publishing Ltd, 1995.ISBN1-56619-908-5.
- ^abcdeModel Designation of Military Aerospace Vehicles,United States Department of Defense,DoD 4120.15L
- ^Parsch, Andreas."Missing" USAF/DOD Aircraft Designations.designation-systems.net
- ^"Boeing aviation photos on JetPhotos".
- ^""Estimating KC-137 Aircraft Ownership Costs in the Brazilian Air Force", Defense Technical Information Center ".Archived fromthe originalon 2011-07-22.Retrieved2008-04-04.
- ^Brazilian Air Force information at Milavia
- ^"120th 'Desert Giants' Squadron expands the long reach of the IAF".Jerusalem Post. 18 September 2020.Retrieved21 August2021.
- ^"World Air Forces 2021".Flightglobal Insight. 2021.Retrieved4 May2021.
- ^Aeronautica Militare official siteArchivedFebruary 10, 2009, at theWayback Machine
- ^"Omega K707 Civilian Tanker".Archived fromthe originalon 2018-10-06.Retrieved2008-04-04.
- ^"DOD 4120.15-L – Addendum".US DOD via Andreas Parsch, Designation-Systems.net.
- ^"De afgedankte Boeings van de NAVO" (The discarded Boeings of NATO), in Dutch
- ^Museum of Flight:VC-137BArchivedJune 30, 2008, at theWayback Machine
- ^"Pima Air & Space Museum:USAF VC-137B".Archived fromthe originalon 2010-07-07.Retrieved2008-08-07.
External links
[edit]Media related toBoeing C-137 Stratolinerat Wikimedia Commons