According to a press release from Lockheed Martin, on August 2 the company delivered its 52nd C-5M Super Galaxy strategic transport, modernized under the U.S. Air Force’s Reliability Enhancement and Re-engining Program (RERP). The work was done at the Marietta plant.
The delivery completes the RERP upgrade program, which extends the service life of the C-5 fleet through the 2040s.
“With the capability inherent in the C-5M, the Super Galaxy is more efficient and more reliable, and better able to do its job of truly global strategic airlift,” said Patricia Pagan, Lockheed Martin Air Mobility and Maritime Missions Strategic Airlift director, in the press release. “I am very proud of the contractor-government team than carried out the C-5 fleet modernization effort. We’ve worked very hard to ensure the C-5Ms are the absolute best strategic airlifters possible for our armed forces.”
The final C-5M was sent to Stewart Air Force Base in New York for an interior paint restoration. Once that work is complete, it will be flown to Westover Air Reserve Base in Massachusetts, and become the eighth C-5M on the base.
The C-5 Galaxy has been solely operated by the U.S. Air Force since 1970 and is the largest strategic airlifter in its fleet.
The RERP program began work in 2001 and includes more than 70 improvements to the C-5. According to Lockheed Martin, the program includes modernizations to the “airframe structure; environmental and pneumatic systems; hydraulic systems, electrical system; fuel system; landing gear; and flight controls.”
The press release also states, “These changes, taken together, result in a 22 percent increase in thrust, a shorter takeoff roll; a 58 percent improvement in climb rate; allows the C-5M to cruise—at maximum gross weight—in the Communication/Navigation/Surveillance / Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) flight environment; and greatly enhanced fuel efficiency and less tanker support demand.”
C-5Ms are in use at Westover, Dover Air Force Base in Texas, and Travis Air Force base in California.