Reliable, Maintainable and Affordable Strategic Airlift: A National Asset
As the Air Force’s largest and only strategic airlifter, the C-5 Galaxy can carry more cargo farther distances than any other aircraft. With a payload of six Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles (MRAPs) or up to five helicopters, the C-5 can haul twice as much cargo as any other airlifter.
The C-5 entered operational service in 1970 and has been a vital asset in every military operation since that time including Vietnam, Desert Storm and Operation Enduring Freedom. It has also been essential in humanitarian relief efforts including hurricane Katrina, tsunami and earthquake relief. With a service life that stretches beyond 2040, the C-5 will remain a central figure in strategic airlift for decades to come. To meet that goal, the C-5 is undergoing a set of modifications that transform it into a C-5M Super Galaxy.
C-5M Super Galaxy
The C-5M Super Galaxy aircraft is a game changer to the warfighter and America’s premier global direct delivery weapons system and the Air Force’s only true strategic airlifter. While setting 43 world records in airlift, the C-5M established new benchmarks in carrying more cargo, faster and farther than any other airlifter. A venerable workhorse, the recognized improvements in performance, efficiency and safety validate the tremendous value to the taxpayer in modernizing proven and viable aircraft. The C-5 can carry twice the cargo of other strategic airlift systems - the only strategic airlifter with the capability of carrying 100 percent of certified air-transportable cargo. The C-5 also has a dedicated passenger compartment, carrying troops and their supplies straight to the theater. It can be loaded from the front and back simultaneously, and vehicles can also be driven directly on or off the Galaxy. This means the C-5 can be loaded quickly and efficiently.
The C-5M has been a vital element of strategic airlift in every major contingency and humanitarian relief effort since it entered service. The Super Galaxy is the only strategic airlifter capable of linking America directly to the warfighter to all theatres of combat with mission capable rates excess of 80 percent. With more than half of its useful structural life remaining, the C-5M Super Galaxy will be a force multiplier through 2040 and beyond.
C-5 modernization provides greatly improved reliability, efficiency, maintainability and availability — reducing total ownership and operating costs - and ensures this critical national strategic airlift resource continues serving the warfighter well into the 21st century.
The C-5M Super Galaxy is the result of a two-phase modernization effort: the Avionics Modernization Program (AMP) and the Reliability Enhancement and Re-engining Program (RERP).
AMP adds a new, modern cockpit with a digital, all-weather flight control system and autopilot; a new communications suite; flat-panel displays; and enhanced navigation and safety equipment. Enhancements such as the integrated datalink capabilities, predictive flight performance cues and situational awareness displays (the Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System) greatly ease crew workload and enhance situational awareness. AMP is the digital backbone to support RERP.
RERP adds new GE CF6-80C2 commercial engines (military designation F138-GE-100) plus 70 other enhancements to major components and subsystems. The RERP significantly increases fleet availability; improves reliability, maintainability, operational performance and allowable cabin loads; and dramatically reduces total ownership cost and fuel consumption. Re-engining is the centerpiece of the RERP program. The new engine produces more than 50,000 pounds of thrust - a 22 percent increase over current TF39 engines — and is Stage IV noise compliant.
The C-5M Super Galaxy has a 58 percent greater climb rate to an initial cruise altitude that is 38 percent higher than the current C-5. This improved capability enables the C-5M to carry significantly more cargo from more airfields, over great distances, with reduced dependency on tankers assets.
