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.

FMI: www.amc.af.mil