USAF C-5M Super Galaxy fleet will fly well into 2040s

Lockheed Martin has finished a 17-year-long project to upgrade the Air Force’s C-5M Super Galaxy.
Since 2001, Lockheed Martin has been carrying out the mammoth task of upgrading 52 C-5Ms. The last of the upgraded Super Galaxy aircraft took off from the Marietta facility Aug. 2, marking the end of the project.
The Air Force’s Reliability Enhancement and Re-engining Program extends the C-5M’s service lifespan into the 2040s.
Enhancement and Re-engining Program incorporates more than 70 improvements that improve reliability, efficiency, maintainability and availability and includes changes or modifications to the airframe structure; environmental and pneumatic systems; hydraulic systems, electrical system; fuel system; landing gear, and flight controls.”
The C-5M has been a part of the Air Force’s fleet since 1970. It is the largest strategic airlifting platform in the Air Force. Fully loaded, the Super Galaxy can fly at a gross weight of 800,000 pounds.
Upgraded Super Galaxy now boasts, a 22 percent increase in thrust, a shorter takeoff roll; a 58 percent improvement in climb rate and allows the C-5M to cruise — at maximum gross weight — in the Communication/Navigation/Surveillance/Air Traffic Management flight environment."
The upgrade greatly enhanced fuel efficiency and reduced the demand for tanker support.
airforcetimes

USAF declares IOC for C-5M

The USAF has declared initial operating capability (IOC) for its Lockheed Martin C-5M following successful tests.
For IOC, initial spare equipment and parts had to be available in the base supply system at Dover Air Force Base (AFB) in Delaware, as well as spares at some forward supply locations..
With delivery of the 16th aircraft to the 436th Airlift Wing at Dover AFB, the base is now waiting on its final two aircraft to bring it up to full strength.
The C-5M, is the result of a two-phase modernisation programme that includes the Avionics Modernisation Programme (AMP), and the ongoing Reliability Enhancement and Re-engining Programme (RERP).
The modernisation programme is designed to improve the fleet mission capability rate as well as the overall reliability and maintainability of the aircraft while reducing total ownership costs.
The Galaxy is the only aircraft in the USAF's inventory that is capable of carrying 100% of the US military's certified air-transportable cargo and, with more than 70% of its structural service life remaining, the C-5M is expected to remain in service until 2040.
The USAF's total C-5 fleet changes monthly based on congressional approval of C-5A retirements. There are currently 37 C-5A, 32 C-5B, and two C-5C aircraft in the inventory, in addition to the 16 C-5Ms now delivered. Current USAF plans call for the C-5A/B/C fleets to be replaced by 52 fully modernised C-5Ms by 2017.
janes

Another Super Galaxy Delivered to USAF

Lockheed Martin delivered its 14th C-5M Super Galaxy to the U.S. Air Force.
An Air Force crew flew the Super Galaxy to Stewart Air National Guard Base, N.Y., where it will undergo internal paint restoration before traveling to its permanent home at Dover Air Force Base, Del. It is the second C-5M delivery in the last two weeks and the fourth for 2013.
The C-5M is the only true strategic airlifter capable of offering the entire globe in one unrefueled flight. A total of 52 Super Galaxy aircraft are scheduled to be delivered to the Air Force by 2017.
lockheedmartin

C-5M undergoes ‘super’ upgrade at Edwards AFB

In 2006, the C-5 Galaxy underwent a “super” upgrade to further strengthen the airframe’s worldwide airlift capabilities.
Test teams here and at Dover Air Force Base, Del., are showing why the recent software upgrade to the largest aircraft in the Air Force inventory — now known as the C-5M Super Galaxy — is no small task.

defencetalk

El C-5M entra en servicio/ C-5M ready for duty

El primer avión de transporte Lockheed Martin C-5M Super Galaxy, versión modernizada del Galaxy, ha llegado a su unidad de destino, la 9th Airlift Squadron, 436th Airlift Wing, en Dover, Delaware. El total de Galaxy a modernizar a la versión C-5M es de 52 unidades para 2016.
key.Aero
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The first production Lockheed Martin C-5M Super Galaxy arrived for duty with the 9th Airlift Squadron, 436th Airlift Wing at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on November 5. The fleet of C-5M is planned to total 52 by the end of 2016.
key.Aero

Primer vuelo del C-5M de producción/ First Production C-5M Super Galaxy Takes Flight

El primer Lockheed Martin C-5M Super Galaxy de producción, realizó su primer vuelo el pasado 19 de septiembre, llevando los títulos de “Super Galaxy” y decorado con "nose art". Será entregado el próximo 30 de Septiembre, en la base de Dover, Delaware, en Noviembre.
lockheedmartin.com
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Lockheed Martin’s first production C-5M Super Galaxy made its first flight Sept. 19 sporting the new “Super Galaxy” tail flash and nose art. It is set to be delivered Sept. 30 and will arrive for duty at Dover Air Force Base, Del., in November.
lockheedmartin.com

PRIMER VUELO DEL C-5M A IRAQ/FIRST C-5M TO IRAQ

Un C-5M Super Galaxy de la base aérea de Dover, transportó 85.000 libras de carga a Iraq, siendo el primero de su tipo en aterrizar en este país, en apoyo de Iraqi Freedom.La Base de Dover alberga tres C-5M que ya ha completado la fase de pruebas, y van a entrar en la fase de conversión operativa. El avión no solo entregó la carga en breve tiempo, sino que volvió a su base antes de lo planeado..
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A Dover Air Force Base C-5M Super Galaxy aircrew delivering over 85,000 pounds of equipment for troops supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom and was the first C-5M to land in Iraq in late January.Dover AFB officials have three C-5M aircraft that have completed the operational testing phase and are about to enter the conversion phase. The aircraft not only delivered the cargo on short notice, but also was able to arrive back to base ahead of schedule.
Once the aircraft has been approved for direct delivery capability, C-5M aircrews will be able to fly cargo directly to Iraq without stopping to refuel.

SEGUNDO C-5 ENTRA A MODERNIZACION/SECOND C-5 FOR MODERNIZATION

A pesar de que la USAF no está muy de acuerdo con la modernización del C-5Lockheed Martin ha anunciado que ha intoducido en su línea de producción el segundo Galaxy dentro del programa RERP (Reliability Enhancement and Re-engining Program, que consiste en mas de 70 modificaciones en la célula, así como la instalación de motores mas potentes y fiables, que previsiblemente darán lugar al C-5M.
El avión que ha entrado en la línea es un C-5B basado en Dover (S/N 85-0002), entregado en 1986, y con mas de 19.000 horas de vuelo. Se preveé modernizar 52 C-5 hasta 2016.
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Lockheed Martin recently inducted its second C-5 Galaxy strategic transport into the Reliability Enhancement and Re-engining Program (RERP) production line at its Marietta, Ga., facility. The RERP modifications consist of more than 70 improvements and upgrades to the C-5 airframe and aircraft systems, and include the installation of new higher-thrust, more reliable turbofan engines.

"Each RERP aircraft induction is a major milestone for our program. We are making great strides with our first RERP induction and expect to keep up the same productive pace with this aircraft," said Lorraine Martin, Lockheed Martin C-5 vice president. "Every C-5M we produce gives added strength to the U.S. Air Force fleet and the warfighters who protect our country."
The C-5M is the product of a two-phase modernization effort. The first, the ongoing Avionics Modernization Program (AMP), provides the aircraft a state-of-the-art glass cockpit with modern avionics and flight instruments. Nearly half of the C-5 fleet has already undergone the AMP modifications. RERP is the second phase of the C-5 modernization effort.
The second aircraft to enter the RERP production line is a C-5B based at Dover AFB, Del. This aircraft, U.S. Air Force serial number 85-0002, was first delivered to Travis AFB, Calif., on Sept. 30, 1986, and was stationed there for much of its career, until it moved to Dover. This C-5 Galaxy currently has more than 19,000 flight hours.
Current Air Force plans call for Lockheed Martin to deliver 52 C-5Ms (modification of 49 C-5Bs, two C-5Cs, and one C-5A) by 2016. Three C-5Ms, the former Super Galaxy test fleet, have been redelivered to the U.S. Air Force at Dover AFB.

LA USAF QUIERE C-17 A CAMBIO DE C-5/USAF WANTS TO REPLACE C-5 WITH C-17

Según CombatAircraft.com ,diez nuevos C-17 Globemaster se van a añadir a la USAF, según los presupuestos recientemente aprobados, para 2010, pero los comandantes de la USAF, quieren retira un C-5A Galaxy por cada 10 nuevos C-17 EL presupuesto incluye 5,8 billones de dólares para nuevos aviones y modernizaciones. La inversión de 2,5 billones USD, fue aprobada por los legisladores, para apoyar el plan industrial que mantiene a 5.000 trabajadores y la planta Boeing de Long Beach. Sin embargo la USAF no ha presupuestado por ellos, y no se sabe como los pagará. Los 59 C-5A de la USAF, necesitan muchas revisiones para mejorar su disponibilidad, que en los últimos años ha caído al 50%. El gobierno sin embargo parece no tener en cuenta este asunto, y pide continuamente stificación para su retirada.
El motivo que esgrime el gobierno para mantener al Galaxy es que puede transportar un 60% mas de carga que el C-17 (270.000 libras frente a 170.000), vuela a mas distancia sin necesidad de abastecimiento en vuelo. Tan solo un C-5A (C-5M Super Galaxy), ha sido modernizado con nuevos motores y aviónica, y las pruebas se esperan que terminen a finales de 2010. En 2008, la USAF canceló la modernización del C-5, debido a su alto coste (148 millones USD por avión), por lo que solo espera modernizar las versiones mas recientes (47 C-5B y 2 C-5C).
Estas son las adquisiciones previstas por la USAF en 2010.

* 544 millones USD por 5 RQ-4 Global Hawks
* 489 millones USD por 24 MQ-9 Reapers.
* 80 milliones USD para MQ-1 Predators.
* 2.3 billones USD para 10 F-35 Lightning II.
* 600 millones USD para 5CV-22 Osprey.
* 905 millones USD para 5 C-130 cisterna, y luz verde para 20 mas.
* 140 millones USD para 5 HH-60.
* 319 millones USD para 8 C-27J de transporte.
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According CombatAircraft.com, ten more C-17 Globemasters are heading to Air Force flight lines, but there are strings attached.
Air Force leaders have said they want to retire one C-5A Galaxy for each of the 10 new C-17swhich were approved by Congress and the president in December as part of the 2010 budget. Air Force wants to retire one C-5A Galaxy for each of the 10 new C-17s, which were approved by Congress and the president in December as part of the 2010 budget.The $2.5 billion investment in C-17s was added by lawmakers supportive of the aircraft and the 5,000 workers who build them at Boeing’s plant in Long Beach, Calif.
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