Program Includes More Than 70 Mods And Upgrades

The first Lockheed Martin C-5 Galaxy strategic transport was inducted into the Reliability Enhancement and Re-engining Program (RERP) production line in ceremonies at the Lockheed Martin facility In Marietta, GA August 18. 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.

"We have been planning this day for more than a decade and it is a day we have been working incredibly hard to get to for the past two years," said Lorraine Martin, Lockheed Martin C 5 vice president. "The aircraft is here; our facilities and our team are ready to go. This aircraft will be a critical asset for the warfighter when it rejoins the Air Force operational fleet next year as a C-5M."

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 first aircraft to enter the RERP production line is a C-5B based at Dover AFB, DE. This aircraft, Air Force serial number 83-1285, was the first C-5B to come off the production line in 1985. Modernization of this first aircraft is expected to take 13 months. At rate production, the conversion time on future C-5s is expected to be reduced to eight months.

The Super Galaxy climbs higher and faster than legacy C-5s while carrying more cargo over longer distances. It also requires less tanker support. The C-5M is projected to have a much higher mission availability rate due to increased reliability.

An Air Force aircrew based at Dover AFB, Del., recently demonstrated this improved capability by flying non-stop and unrefueled from Dover to Incirlik, Turkey, while carrying 90,000 pounds of cargo on 36 standard military cargo pallets. The crew was able to complete the round trip in two days versus the normal three, and they saved 30,000 pounds of fuel by eliminating an en-route stop.

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 Air Force. Two aircraft are currently based at Dover. The third C-5M is scheduled to come out of programmed depot maintenance at the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center at Robins AFB, GA, in early September and will then be ferried to Dover where it will enter operation.

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