Aircraft Released For Operations Worldwide
The C-5M Super Galaxy completed operational test and evaluation
in January, releasing the aircraft for use in worldwide operations.
The tests, which lasted nearly 4 months, measured key performance
parameters to demonstrate the capabilities and reliability of the
C-5M.
"With the completion of Operational Test and Evaluation, the
436th and 512th Airlift Wings are now in complete ownership of its
three C-5M aircraft," said Master Sgt. Brandon Trolinder, a C-5
Evaluator Flight Engineer for Air Mobility Command. "The improved
performance characteristics will effectively boost AMC's
capabilities without increasing the airlift fleet size. AMC is now
able to take advantage of the enhanced capabilities of the C-5M and
not treat it as just another C-5."
The C-5M is an upgraded C-5 Galaxy with a modernized glass
cockpit and avionics upgrade as part of the Avionics Modernization
Program and new engines through the Reliability Enhancement and
Re-Engining Program. The improvements allow the C-5M to climb more
rapidly, reaching higher cruise altitudes to reduce fuel
consumption and carbon emissions; fly greater strategic distances
decreasing en route stops and diminishing dependency on in-flight
refueling support; and improve cargo velocity ensuring mission
success.
The C-5 Galaxy, one of the world's largest aircraft, has been an
integral part of America's strategic airlift fleet since the late
1960s. Testing revealed the fleet had 80 percent of its structural
service life remaining. Rather than replacing the aircraft,
Lockheed Martin proposed a plan in September 1998 to update the C-5
Galaxy fleet with new avionics, engines and other sub components -
improvements that are predicted to raise the aircraft reliability
levels.
The first of three C-5M aircraft was delivered to Dover Air
Force Base, DE, in February 2009, at which time the 436th and 512th
Airlift Wings entered the familiarization and demonstration phase
of the integration, allowing maintainers and aircrew to operate the
aircraft to gain confidence, skills and proficiency required to
properly demonstrate the capabilities during the actual tests.
Personnel from the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center
also participated in and collected data from numerous maintenance
events throughout this period.
Operational Test and Evaluation officially began on October 1,
2009 during which aircrews from the 436th and 512th Airlift Wings
flew a number of missions to demonstrate the capabilities and
reliability of the C-5M.
One of the first phases, the 30-day surge operations period,
consisted of delivering essential cargo and flying sorties nonstop
from Dover AFB to Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, without refueling to
test wartime contingency operations. During this period the
aircraft completed 34 sorties and moved 3.8 million pounds of cargo
while saving time and fuel. "The direct delivery from the
continental United States to [Incirlik Air Base] has opened the
door for the C-5 community to deliver more cargo to the warfighter
in less time," said Sergeant Trolinder.
Following the surge operations period, the final test events -
which included a cold weather operation test at Eielson AFB, Alaska
- were demonstrated. In addition to testing flight performance, 15
maintenance demonstrations were accomplished in which maintainers
had to work through and resolve various scenarios, including an
engine change at Eielson AFB where the temperature was minus 15
degrees. "Some of the maintenance actions or procedures had never
been accomplished before and we had to verify the written
procedures," said Chief Master Sgt. Jon Lynn, 436th Aircraft
Maintenance Squadron superintendent. In all, the team identified
447 Technical Order changes. "Anytime we found something wrong, we
submitted the changes. Some were just rewording of the TO and some
led to total rewrites."
In January 2010, after more than 1,300 flying hours, the C-5M
operational test and evaluation was successfully completed.
"There have been many lessons learned that will help AMC to make
[the C-5M] a solid platform for strategic airlift," said Sergeant
Trolinder.
Meanwhile, the first C-5M Super Galaxy to land in Iraq delivered
over 85,000 pounds of equipment for troops supporting Operation
Iraqi Freedom from Dover, DE in late January. The aircraft not only
delivered the cargo on short notice, but also was able to arrive
back to base ahead of schedule.
"It's satisfying to get the aircraft into the fight delivering
much needed supplies to the troops in the field," said Lt. Col.
Mike Semo, the 709th Airlift Squadron pilot and C-5M Program Office
chief.