Hyderabad: In less than 24-hours, US President Donald Trump will make his first official visit to India, scheduled on February 24-25, in his aircraft 'Air Force One'. Accompanied by Melania Trump, he will head directly towards the Motera Stadium, Ahmedabad in his $1.5 million seven-seater limousine 'The Beast' after landing in Gujarat on February 24. Both the 'Air Force One' and 'The Beast' are unique and world-class. Let's know about them:
AIR FORCE ONE:
Air Force One, the White House in the air, is an Air Force aircraft carrying the US President anywhere in the world on a moment’s notice.
Air Force One, one of the most recognizable symbols of the US Presidency and American culture, marks its undeniable presence wherever it flies. Adorned with the words “United States of America,” the American flag and the Seal of the President of the US, it is always ready to carry the President wherever and whenever he needs to travel.
Air Force One is capable of refuelling midair and has onboard electronics that are hardened to protect against an electromagnetic pulse. An advanced secure communications equipment inside allows the aircraft to function as a mobile command centre in the event of an attack on the United States.
Air Force One has 4,000 square feet of floor space on three levels including an extensive Presidential suite that has a large office room, conference room and rooms for those who accompany the President. Besides, it has a medical suite and a permanent doctor on board. The plane has two food galleys which can serve 100 people at a time.
Several cargo planes fly ahead of President's plane to provide him services if needed in remote locations.
The Presidential Airlife Group which is a part of the White House Military Office maintains and operates Air Force One.
THE BEAST:
Donald Trump’s presidential state car – a unique Cadillac, fitted with dozens of defence mechanisms to keep the President safe – was introduced on September 24, 2018. This $1.5 million latest limousine was replaced the previous Cadillac One used by Barack Obama which got stuck on a small ramp as it exited the US embassy in Ireland years ago.
The Beast is kitted out with bullet-proof windows and doors, puncture-resistant tyres and a satellite phone. It is extremely secure with windows built up with more than five layers of glass and polycarbonate to protect those inside from a chemical attack. The inside bodywork which made up of steel, aluminium, titanium and ceramic makes the vehicle bomb-proof.
The Beast is fully equipped with defence accessories such as pump-action shotguns, tear gas grenade launchers, smoke screen dispensers and a firefighting system.
Also, the vehicle carries bags of the President’s Rh-negative blood type, own panic button and oxygen supply. The front of the car sports night vision cameras.
There are some special features in the car exclusively for President Trump. In the rear, he has a seat fixed with a satellite phone which directly connects the Vice President and the Pentagon. Besides, there is a glass partition between the driver and the passengers, only Trump has the switch to control it.
A chauffeur, trained by the US Secret Service, drives the beast. The driver is well aware of how to deal with the most challenging driving conditions as well as how to escape a circumvention.
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