On July 31st, 2009, The C-5M, the newest upgrade of the United
States Air Force cargo airplane fleet, arrived at the Wittman
Regional Aircraft to celebrate EAA’s AirVenture
2009. The crew, composed of members from the 512th Airlift
Wing Reservists, led enthusiastic AirVenture attendees through the
‘Spirit of Normandy,’ one of the largest aircraft in
the world.
On December 17th, 1969, the USAF received their first C-5
delivery; since that time, the aircraft has remained a crucial
component of the USAF’s strategic airlift fleet.
With a cargo compartment of 121 feet and maximum takeoff weight
of 840,000 pounds, the C-5M Super Galaxy is capable of carrying
nearly every type of combat equipment, from Humvees to the the 74
short tons (67 t) armored vehicle launched bridge (AVLB), to
military destinations around the world.
The large wing surface, with approximately 222 ft of wingspan
and 6,200 feet of wing area, allows the aircraft to take off at
slower air speeds with very heavy weights.
Recent testing, however, revealed that years of field operations
have drastically impacted the C-5 fleet’s reliability rates,
with about 80 percent of its structural service life
remaining. In 1998, the US government accepted a proposal by
Lockheed Martin to update the C-5 Galaxy fleet with new avionics
and engines. Deemed the Reliability Enhancement and
Re-Engining Program, the C-5M fleet features new General Electric
CF6-80C2 engines, providing 22% more thrust than the existing C-5
engines.
As Lt. Col. Mike Semo explains, the new engines will provide
sufficient increases in reliability, maximum takeoff weight, and
range. In addition, the Avionics Modernization Program
includes an all-new digital glass cockpit system, providing pilots
greater situational awareness, particularly for combat
situations.
Recently, on September 13th, 2009, the ‘Spirit of
Normandy’ crew unofficially set 41 world records in a single
flight. Though results are still pending certification by the
National Aeronautic Association, the C-5M set the altitude, payload
(with approximately 178,000 pounds), and time-to-climb (with an
astonishing 12,000 meters in less than 28 minutes)
records.
In addition, the crew attained the highest altitude attained in
horizontal flight, breaking the record previously held by the
Russian Tupolev Tu-160 aircraft. Lockheed Martin is expected to
finish the C-5 fleet upgrade by 2016.