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.