These are all the presidential vehicles a US president brings to a state visit of the UK
The US president doesn't travel light The post These are all the presidential vehicles a US president brings to a state visit of the UK appeared first on Supercar Blondie.
Presidential vehicles play a huge role whenever a US president makes a UK state visit, and this week President Donald Trump arrived with a full fleet of them.
Protecting the American leader requires a mix of military-grade aircraft, armored limousines, and a sprawling motorcade.
The presidential vehicles are purpose-built to ensure the president can move securely by air and by road.
The result is a transport operation as impressive as it is expensive.
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The presidential vehicles come with all sorts of functions
At the top of the list for this UK state visit is Air Force One, the most famous plane in the world.
Rather than a single jet, it’s a call sign for whichever aircraft the president boards, which is usually one of two specially modified Boeing 747-200Bs.
On the outside it looks like a regular jumbo jet, but inside it’s closer to a flying fortress.
It’s fitted with radar jamming, missile countermeasures, and the ability to refuel midair, giving it virtually unlimited range.
Passengers enjoy 4,000 square feet of space spread over three decks, complete with a presidential suite, a medical bay, and offices for staff and press.
The US is likely to see a new plane used as Air Force One soon, as President Donald Trump has authorized the $400 million Qatari jet gifted to the US to be retrofitted as soon as possible.
On the ground, the star attraction is undoubtedly ‘The Beast’.
Officially called Cadillac One, this nine-tonne limousine is built like a tank but styled like a luxury car.
While most people assume The Beast hitches a ride on Air Force One whenever it follows the President, that’s not actually the case.
A US Secret Service agent confirmed that they use C-17 and C-5 military aircraft to carry The Beast, along with all the other vehicles.
The Beast is rumored to come with armor plating, bulletproof glass, tear gas launchers, and even a self-contained oxygen supply.
A fridge stocked with the blood type of President Donald Trump is also carried onboard for emergencies.
With the investment being made in The Beast’s capabilities, you might be surprised that it needs to be destroyed every eight years, but there’s actually a really good reason for that.
Two identical versions always travel together, with one carrying the US president, while the other acts as a decoy.
Surrounding The Beast is an elaborate motorcade made up of police outriders, counter-assault teams, medical units, and ‘Roadrunner,’ an armored SUV packed with secure communications gear.
For any would-be attacker, spotting which car actually holds the president becomes nearly impossible.
Helicopters are used for short air travel
Not all journeys are made by road, though.
Marine One, the call sign for any helicopter carrying the president, is another iconic part of the fleet.
For this UK state visit, the Sikorsky VH-3D Sea King was deployed, flying in formation with identical decoys.
They’re often joined by MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotors, which ferry Secret Service teams and support staff.
Together, these vehicles are an unmistakable reminder that when the US president needs to go somewhere, he never travels light.The post These are all the presidential vehicles a US president brings to a state visit of the UK appeared first on Supercar Blondie.
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