Showing posts with label C-5 Galaxy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label C-5 Galaxy. Show all posts

Thursday, July 26, 2012

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Lockheed Martin Delivers Another Super Galaxy

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS:  Lockheed Martin Delivers Another Super Galaxy
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Lockheed Martin
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - July 26, 2012: Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] delivered the fifth production C-5M Super Galaxy to the Air Force, July 20, 2012, at Robins Air Force Base, Ga.

The Super Galaxy is the eight overall C-5M for the Air Force and will undergo internal paint restoration at Stewart Air National Guard Base, N.Y., before traveling to its permanent home at Dover Air Force Base, Del.

The Super Galaxy is America’s premier global direct delivery weapon system and the only strategic airlifter capable of linking the homeland directly to the warfighter in all theaters of combat without refueling.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs about 120,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation's net sales for 2011 were $46.5 billion.

The C-5 is a large high-wing cargo aircraft. It has a distinctive high T-tail, 25 degree wing sweep, and four TF39 turbofan engines mounted on pylons beneath the wings. The C-5 is similar in layout to its smaller predecessor, the C-141 Starlifter. The C-5 has 12 internal wing tanks and is equipped for aerial refueling. It has both nose and aft doors for "drive-through" loading and unloading of cargo. The C-5 is also known as FRED (fucking, sometimes written as "fantastic", ridiculous, economic/environmental disaster) by its crews due to its maintenance/reliability issues and large consumption of fuel.

A total of 52 C-5s are contracted to be modernized, consisting of 49 B-, two C- and one A-model aircraft through the Reliability Enhancement and Re-Engining Program (RERP). Over 70 changes and upgrades are incorporated in the program, including the newer General Electric engines. Five C-5M Super Galaxies have been produced. The RERP upgrade program is to be completed in 2016.

The first C-5A was delivered to the USAF on 17 December 1969. Wings were built up in the early 1970s at Altus AFB, Oklahoma, Charleston AFB, Dover AFB, Delaware, and Travis AFB, California. The C-5's first mission was on 9 July 1970, in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. C-5s were used to transport equipment and troops, including Army tanks and even some small aircraft, throughout the later years of the US action in Vietnam. In the final weeks of the war, prior to the Fall of Saigon, several C-5s were involved in evacuation efforts; during one such mission a C-5A crashed while transporting a large number of orphans.

C-5s have also been used to deliver support and reinforce various US allies over the years. During the Yom Kippur war in 1973, multiple C-5s and C-141 Starlifters delivered critical supplies of ammunition, replacement weaponry and other forms of aid to Israel, the US effort was named as Operation Nickel Grass. The C-5 Galaxy's performance in Israel was such that the Pentagon began to consider further purchases. The C-5 was regularly made available to support American allies, such as the British-led peacekeeper initiative in Zimbabwe in 1979.


*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Lockheed Martin
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
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Tuesday, February 07, 2012

DTN News - LOCKHEED MARTIN DEFENSE NEWS: Eleventh C-5B Inducted To Become Super Galaxy

DTN News - LOCKHEED MARTIN DEFENSE NEWS: Eleventh C-5B Inducted To Become Super Galaxy
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Lockheed Martin
 (NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - February 7, 2012: Lockheed Martin inducted the 11th aircraft to the C-5M Super Galaxy production line on Feb. 1, 2012. 

Based at Dover Air Force Base, Del., this aircraft has supported the warfighter’s operations across the globe. It has delivered cargo in locations such as Iraq, Italy, Germany, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Qatar, Spain and Turkey. 

Aircraft 86-0017 has accumulated more than 18,000 flight hours and more than 4,300 full-stop landings

Mission The C-5 Galaxy is one of the largest aircraft in the world and the largest airlifter in the Air Force inventory. The aircraft can carry a fully equipped combat-ready military unit to any point in the world on short notice and then provide the supplies required to help sustain the fighting force. 

Features 
The C-5 has a greater capacity than any other airlifter. It has the ability to carry 36 standard pallets and 81 troops simultaneously. The Galaxy is also capable of carrying any of the Army's air-transportable combat equipment, including such bulky items as the 74-ton mobile scissors bridge. It can also carry outsize and oversize cargo over intercontinental ranges and can take off or land in relatively short distances. Ground crews are able to load and off-load the C-5 simultaneously at the front and rear cargo openings, reducing cargo transfer times. Other features of the C-5 are: 
   · Able to operate on runways 6,000 feet long (1,829 meters).
   · Five landing gear totaling 28 wheels to distribute the weight. 
   · Nose and aft doors that open the full width and height of the cargo    
     compartment to permit faster and easier loading. 
   · A "kneeling" landing gear system that permits lowering the parked 
     aircraft to facilitate drive-on/drive-off vehicle loading and adjusts the 
     cargo floor to standard truck-bed height. 
   · Full width drive-on ramps at each end for loading double rows of 
     vehicles. 
   · A system that records and analyzes information and detects 
     malfunctions in more than 800 test points. 

The C-5 has the distinctive high T-tail, 25-degree wing sweep, and four TF39 turbofan engines (C-5A and B) mounted on pylons beneath the wings. These engines are each rated at 43,000 pounds of thrust and weigh 7,900 pounds (3,555 kilograms) a piece. They have an air intake diameter of more than 8.5 feet (2.6 meters). Each engine pod is nearly 27 feet long (8.2 meters).

The Galaxy has 12 internal wing tanks with a total capacity of 51,150 gallons (194,370 liters) of fuel -- enough to fill 6 1/2 regular size railroad tank cars. A full fuel load weighs 332,500 pounds (150,820 kilograms). A C-5 with a cargo load of 270,000 pounds (122,472 kilograms) can fly 2,150 nautical miles, offload, and fly to a second base 500 nautical miles away from the original destination -- all without aerial refueling. With aerial refueling, the aircraft's range is limited only by crew endurance.

BackgroundLockheed-Georgia Co. delivered the first operational Galaxy to the 437th Airlift Wing, Charleston Air Force Base, now known as Joint Base Charleston, S.C., in June l970. C-5s are operated by active-duty, Reserve, and Air National Guard crews. They are currently stationed at Dover AFB, Del.; Travis AFB, Calif.; Lackland AFB, Texas; Martinsburg ANGB, W.V.; Memphis ANGB, Tenn. and Westover Air Reserve Base, Mass.

In March 1989, the last of 50 C-5Bs was added to the 76 C-5As in the Air Force's airlift force structure. The C-5B includes all C-5A improvements as well as more than 100 additional system modifications to improve reliability and maintainability. 

Based on a study showing 80 percent of the C-5 airframe service life remaining, AMC began an aggressive program to modernize the C-5 in 1998. The C-5 Avionics Modernization Program included upgrading the avionics to improve communications, navigation and surveillance/air traffic management compliance. The upgrade also added new safety equipment and installed a new autopilot system.

Another part of the C-5 modernization plan is a comprehensive Reliability Enhancement and Re-engining Program. The centerpiece of this program is the General Electric CF6-80C2 (F-138) commercial engine. This engine delivers a 22 percent increase in thrust, a 30 percent shorter take-off roll, has a 58 percent faster climb rate and will allow significantly more cargo to be carried over longer distances. With its new engine and upgrades, the C-5 becomes the C-5M Super Galaxy. This modernization program will enhance aircraft reliability and maintainability, maintain structural and system integrity, reduce cost of ownership and increase operational capability well into the 21st century.

Media Contact:
Chad E. Gibson
Office:             770-494-3847      
Mobile:             678-761-4623      

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Lockheed Martin
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
©COPYRIGHT (C) DTN NEWS DEFENSE-TECHNOLOGY NEWS


Wednesday, July 20, 2011

DTN News - LOCKHEED MARTIN DEFENSE NEWS: Another C-5M Super Galaxy Takes Flight

DTN News - LOCKHEED MARTIN DEFENSE NEWS: Another C-5M Super Galaxy Takes Flight
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada / MARIETTA, Ga., - July 20, 2011: The third production C-5M Super Galaxy took its first flight today (July 18th) here at the Lockheed Martin facility in Marietta. Aircraft 0005 is stationed at Dover Air Force Base, Del. and assigned to be flown by both active duty and reserve airlift wings there.
The modernization program includes more than 70 improvements to include brand-new, fuel-efficient engines and recently flew the first U.S. polar overflight mission direct to Afghanistan.
The C-5M Super Galaxy aircraft is a game changer to the warfighter. While setting 42 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-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 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 III noise compliant.
Once operational, the C-5M Super Galaxy will have a 58 percent greater climb rate to an initial cruise altitude that is 38 percent higher than the current C-5. This improved capability will enable the C-5M to carry significantly more cargo from more airfields, over great distances, with reduced dependency on tanker assets.

Media Contact:

Chad E. Gibson Communications Manager, C-5 Program Office: (770) 494-3847 Mobile: (678) 761-4623 www.facebook.com/supergalaxy www.lockheedmartin.com/products/c5

*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News

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Monday, November 22, 2010

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: U.S. Air Force Should Buy New C-17s, Not Fixed-Up C-5s

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: U.S. Air Force Should Buy New C-17s, Not Fixed-Up C-5s
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources By ANTONIO GIL MORALES - Defense News
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - November 22, 2010: When does a promise to cut government spending result in $8 billion of new government waste? When Defense
Department procurement is involved.

Puzzling accounting in the Pentagon abounds. Weapon programs exceeded their budget by $300 billion in a single year. The Defense Department bought $13 billion in spare parts, $7 billion of which our troops don't need. Now, in its latest outrage, the department wants to pour $13 billion into its aging fleet of C-5 Galaxy cargo planes rather than purchase more capable aircraft, such as the C-17 Globemaster III.

Cargo aircraft aren't the sexiest planes in America's arsenal, but they're essential for ferrying troops and equipment to battle. With our nation fighting two wars on the other side of the globe, reliable and versatile cargo aircraft that are affordable to operate are as indispensable as the bullets in our soldiers' rifles.

That's why the Pentagon's C-5 debacle is so worrisome. The Defense Department claims that refurbishing 111 C-5s will help rein in procurement costs while supporting our airlift needs. In reality, its plan is like saying that it's OK to max out your credit card if you shop only at the used car lot. In the end, our troops will get an inferior aircraft and the nation's budget will sink deeper into the red.

To weigh the relative value of the C-5A and the C-17, we need to understand that airlift is a matter of quality, not just quantity.

For example, refurbishing seven C-5As gives the Air Force only the additional capabilities of buying just one new C-17. What this means is that the modest increase in capability gained by refurbishing a C-5A is only about one-seventh the capability gained by adding a new C-17. And unlike the C-5A, the modern C-17 can reliably perform the full range of missions demanded by our military, such as the precision airdrop of a brigade, the delivery of humanitarian assistance or acting as a flying ambulance to evacuate wounded warriors.

Now consider the cost. Fixing up those seven C-5As will cost us nearly $1 billion. The price tag for that single C-17: less than one-third as much, at about $276 million.

Also consider how much it costs to operate these aircraft. Just as with buying a new car, its total cost isn't only in the sticker price, it's also in how much you'll spend on gas and maintenance. It costs the Pentagon nearly twice as much per hour to keep a C-5A in the air - $21,000 - than it does to fly a C-17 - $12,000.

And, to come back to our car analogy, you also have to account for reliability. Aviation experts and independent analysts from the Congressional Research Service report that the C-5A is the Fiat of the U.S. military's cargo fleet. It's notoriously unreliable and unavailable to fly roughly half of the time. That is one reason the military spent $1 billion to lease Soviet-era aircraft to supplement our airlift in Iraq over a four-year period. In contrast, the C-17 is the gold standard of cargo aircraft, as it's rated highest in reliability.

By all these measures, purchasing new, advanced C-17s rather than fixing up those old C-5s makes the most sense for America's airlift capabilities, our troops and our nation's bottom line. But, it might also be the right move for our ailing economy as well.

The Pentagon plan would immediately shutter the C-17 line, which today supports jobs for more than 30,000 Americans. It could also undermine America's edge in military and commercial aerospace, a sector our economic competitors are eying hungrily. And, with the closing of C-17 facilities, not a single plant would remain on U.S. soil with the capability of producing military cargo aircraft larger than a C-130.

In the face of the Pentagon's long record of needless waste, Secretary Robert Gates pledged to bring real change to the department and to rein in our government's largest and most unwieldy bureaucracy. If there's anyone who can do it, it's a man of his estimable talents.

But there's a larger lesson to consider: Budget cuts, at the Pentagon or anywhere else in government, must focus on real, long-term savings rather than illusory, short-term cost cutting that only shortchanges national needs. And, in the case of modernizing the tired and aging C-5A fleet instead of buying new reliable C-17s, shortchanging our troops is not the kind of change we need.

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Antonio Gil Morales, a U.S. Air Force veteran, is former national commander of the American GI Forum.

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