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C-137 Stratoliner
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| C-137 Stratoliner | |
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| Boeing VC-137C as Air Force One | |
| Type | passenger/VIP transport |
| Manufacturer | Boeing |
| Status | Active service |
| Primary user | United States Air Force |
| Produced | 1954-1965 |
| Developed from | Boeing 707 |
| Variants | CC-137 Husky E-3 Sentry E-6 Mercury E-8 Joint STARS EC-18 ARIA 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. 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 specilized versions, such as the E-3 Sentry AWACS aircraft.
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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. 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].
- C-18: The US military designation for the cargo version of the 707-320B.
- 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 and one was not taken into service and used for spares.
- C-18B: One C-18A modified with instrumentation and equipment to support the Military Strategic and Tactical Relay System (MILSTAR).[2]
- EC-18B: Four C-18As modified alongside the C-135 for Advanced Range Instrumentation Aircraft ARIA missions in support of the Apollo space program.[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.[2]
- TC-18F: Two second-hand (former TAP) 707-382 aircraft modified for E-6 pilot training.[2]
- C-137 Stratoliner: The USAF purchased a number of 707s under the C-137 series.
- VC-137A:Three 707-153s 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 four 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 were purchased by the USAF (one in 1961 and one in 1972) for service as a presidential transport with call signs SAM 26000 and SAM 27000, redesignated C-137C.
- 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 former arms smuggler acquired in 1985 and one 707-382B bought second hand in 1987. 20043 and 20297
- EC-137D: Two aircraft built as Early Warning and Contol 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.
- CC-137 Husky
- E-3 Sentry
- E-6 Mercury
- E-8 Joint STARS
- C/EC/TC-18
- VC-137C SAM 26000
- VC-137C SAM 27000
- KC-137 - Brazilian Air Force
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: 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)
- ^ a b Gunston, Bill: The Encyclopedia of Modern Warplanes, page 64. Aerospace Publishing Ltd, 1995. ISBN 1-56619-908-5
- ^ a b c d e Model Designation of Military Aerospace Vehicles, United States Department of Defense, DoD 4120.15L
Related development
Comparable aircraft
Designation sequence
See also
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Piston-engined transports: C-73 · C-75 · C-97 · C-98 Jet transports: C-135 · C-137 · SAM 26000 · SAM 27000 · CC-137 · YC-14 · C-17 · C-22 · VC-25A · C-32 · C-40 Tanker-transports: KB-29 · KB-50 · KC-97 · KC-135 · KC-137 · KC-10 · KC-767 Trainers: PT-13/PT-17/PT-18/PT-27 · T-43 · T-45 Surveillance: EC-135 · EC-18 · E-3 · E-4 · E-6 · E-8 · E-10 · E-767 · 737 AEW&C Reconnaissance: NC-135 · OC-135B · RC-135 · WC-135 Experimental: X-20 · X-36 · X-37 · X-40 · Bird of Prey · UAVs: X-50 · A160 |
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