C-137 Stratoliner C-18
A VC-137B at Peterson AFB, Colorado
Type	Passenger/VIP transport
Manufacturer	Boeing
Status	Active service
Primary user	United States Air Force
Produced	1954-1965
Developed from	Boeing 707
Variants	Boeing CC-137 E-3 Sentry E-6 Mercury E-8 Joint STARS VC-137C SAM 26000 VC-137C SAM 27000

The Boeing C-137 Stratoliner was a VIP transport aircraft derived from the Boeing 707 jet airliner used by the United States Air Force. The State of Colorado ( or chiefly by nonresidents) is a state located in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States of America. An aerospace manufacturer is a company or individual involved in the various aspects of designing building testing selling and maintaining Aircraft, Aircraft parts The Boeing Company is a major Aerospace and defense corporation originally founded by William E WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The Boeing E-6 Mercury is an American military Aircraft. It operates as an airborne command post and communications center relaying instructions WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The Boeing VC-137C is the designation of two United States Air Force passenger transportation aircraft a military version of the Boeing 707. The Boeing VC-137C is the designation of two United States Air Force passenger transportation aircraft a military version of the Boeing 707. The Boeing Company is a major Aerospace and defense corporation originally founded by William E A cargo aircraft (also known as freighters or freight aircraft) is an Fixed-wing aircraft designed or converted for the carriage of goods rather WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout A jet airliner, sometimes contracted to jetliner, is a passenger Airplane (passenger Aeroplane) that is powered by Jet engines. Other nations also 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 the E-3 Sentry AWACS aircraft. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The designation C-18 covers several later variants based on the 707-320C series.

Development

USAF procurement of the Boeing 707 was very limited, amounting to three Model 707-153s designated VC-137A. When delivered in 1959 these had four 6123-kg (13,500-Ib) dry thrust Pratt & Whitney JT3C6 turbojets; when subsequently re-engined with 8165-kg (18,000-Ib) dry thrust TF33-P-5 turbofans they were redesignated VC-137B. Only one other variant served with the USAF: this was the VC-137C Air Force One Presidential transport, the two examples of which, apart from interior furnishings, are similar to the Model 707-320B Intercontinental. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Two further non-presidential C-137C aircraft 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

C-18

An EC-18B Advanced Range Instrumentation Aircraft (ARIA) takes off on its first flight at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, following its conversion from a Boeing 707-320.

The C-18 is the US military designation for the conversions of the 707-320B series.

C-18A

Eight second-hand (former American 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. American Airlines Inc (AA is a US -based airline and the world's Largest airline in total passenger miles transported and passenger fleet size

C-18B

One C-18A modified with instrumentation and equipment to support the Military Strategic and Tactical Relay System (MILSTAR). Milstar (originally an acronym for Military Strategic and Tactical Relay ', but now a name with no inherent meaning is a United States government Satellite communications ^[2]

EC-18B

Four C-18As modified alongside examples of the C-135 for Advanced Range Instrumentation Aircraft (ARIA) missions in support of the Apollo space program. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout ^[2]

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 (former Trans World Airlines) 707-331 aircraft modified for E-3 pilot and crew training. Trans World Airlines ( TWA) renamed TWA Airlines LLC in 2001 was a major U ^[2]

TC-18F

Two second-hand (former TAP Portugal) 707-382 aircraft modified for E-6 pilot training. TAP Portugal (formerly known as TAP Air Portugal & Transportes Aéreos Portugueses Portuguese Air Transportations) is the National airline ^[2]

C-137 Stratoliner

Spectators watch one of two C-137B Stratoliner aircraft that are bringing in the 52 freed hostages after their release from Iran

VC-137C SAM 27000 (Air Force One) parked on the tarmac at the Venice Marco Polo Airport, Italy in 1987

The USAF purchased a number of 707s under the C-137 series of designations:

VC-137A

Three 707-153s with a 22-passenger VIP interior and provision for use as an airborne command post, re-designated VC-137B. Venice Marco Polo Airport is an Airport located on the Italian mainland near Venice, Italy, in Tessera a Frazione of the

VC-137B

The three VC-137As re-engined with four Pratt & Whitney JT3D-3 engines, operated by the 89th Military Airlift Wing, redesignated C-137B. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout

C-137B

The three VC-137Bs redesignated when downgraded from VIP role.

VC-137C

Two 707-353Bs were purchased by the USAF (one in 1961 and one in 1972) for service as presidential transports with call signs SAM 26000 and SAM 27000; later redesignated C-137C. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The Boeing VC-137C is the designation of two United States Air Force passenger transportation aircraft a military version of the Boeing 707. The Boeing VC-137C is the designation of two United States Air Force passenger transportation aircraft a military version of the Boeing 707.

C-137C

The two VC-137Cs were redesignated when downgraded from presidential use. Two further C-137Cs were acquired by the USAF, one 707-396C (a seized aircraft formerly used for arms smuggling acquired in 1985) and one 707-382B bought second hand in 1987.

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

E-3 Sentry 

Airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft that provides all-weather surveillance, command, control and communications, to the United States, NATO and other air defense forces. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The North Atlantic Treaty Based on the 707-320B, production ended in 1992 after 68 had been built.

E-6 Mercury 

A version of the 707-320, it operates as an airborne command post and communications center, relaying instructions from the National Command Authority. The Boeing E-6 Mercury is an American military Aircraft. It operates as an airborne command post and communications center relaying instructions National Command Authority ( NCA) is a term used by the United States military and government to refer to the ultimate lawful source of military orders Its role in relaying to the fleet ballistic missile submarines gives it the suffix TACAMO ("Take Charge and Move Out"). The United States Navy 's Fleet ballistic missile submarine force is composed of ''Ohio''-class submarines armed with Trident missiles TACAMO is a US military term meaning "Take Charge and Move Out" 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 the USSTRATCOM Airborne Command Post

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 under standing of the enemy situation and to support attack operations and targeting that contributes to the delay, disruption and destruction of enemy forces. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout

Variants of other militaries

An Italian Air Force Boeing 707T/T refuel two MB-339 in a demonstration

CC-137 Husky 

Canadian Forces designation for the 707-347C. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The Canadian Forces (CF ( French: Forces canadiennes) are the unified Armed forces of Canada, governed by the National Defence

KC-137 

of Brazilian Air Force^[3][4]

707T/T 

The 707 Tanker/Transport. The Brazilian Air Force ( Portuguese: Força Aérea Brasileira, FAB) is the air branch of the Brazilian armed forces and one of the three national Italy purchased and converted four 707s, two to tankers and two to a straight freighter. The Aeronautica Militare is the Air force of Italy. It has held a prominent role in modern Italian military history. No 707 tankers remains operational as of 3 April 2008. Events 1043 - Edward the Confessor is crowned King of England. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common ^[5] Also, Omega Air operates K707 tankers for lease. ^[6]

Sentry AEW1 

The Royal Air Force designation for seven E-3D AWACS aircraft. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout

KE-3A 

The Royal Saudi Air Force purchased eight E-3 airframes configured as aerial refueling tankers. The Royal Saudi Air Force (القوات الجوية الملكية السعودية) is the Air force branch of Saudi Arabian armed forces.

Condor 

Airborne Early Warning, Command and Control (AEWC&C) aircraft developed in conjunction with Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) using a former Lan Chile aircraft.

Operators

 Brazil

• Brazilian Air Force

 United States

• United States Air Force

Specifications (VC-137C)

General characteristics

• Length: 152 ft 11 in (46. |utc_offset = -2 to -4 |time_zone_DST = BRST |utc_offset_DST = -2 to -5 |cctld The Brazilian Air Force ( Portuguese: Força Aérea Brasileira, FAB) is the air branch of the Brazilian armed forces and one of the three national The United States of America —commonly referred to as the A foot (plural feet or foot; symbol or abbreviation ft or sometimes &prime – the prime symbol) is a non-SI unit Inches redirects here To see the Les Savy Fav album see Inches. 61 m)
• Wingspan: 145 ft 9 in (44. The wingspan (or just span) of an airplane or a Bird, is the distance from the left wingtip to the right wingtip 42 m)
• Height: 42 ft 5 in (12. 93 m)
• Wing area: 3010 ft² (279. 63 m²)
• Empty weight: 98,466 lb (44,663 kg)
• Loaded weight: 297,000 lb (135,000 kg)
• Max takeoff weight: 327,000 lb (148,325 kg)
• Powerplant: 4× Pratt & Whitney TF-33-PW-102 turbofan engines , 18,000 lbf (80 kN) each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 627 mph (1009 km/h)
• Cruise speed: 600 mph (966 km/h)
• Range: 7,610 mi (12,247 km)
• Service ceiling 50,000 ft (15,200 m)
• Rate of climb: 4,900 ft/min (1,490 m/min)

See also

Related development

• VC-137C SAM 26000
• VC-137C SAM 27000
• Boeing 707
• C-135 Stratolifter
• KC-135 Stratotanker
• Boeing CC-137
• E-3 Sentry
• E-6 Mercury
• E-8 Joint STARS
  

Comparable aircraft

• Douglas DC-8
• Convair 880
  

References

External links