Posted on 06/21/2006 8:45:38 PM PDT by Paleo Conservative
MARIETTA, Ga., June 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The newly modernized Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT - News) C-5M Super Galaxy took to the skies for the first time today from Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga. This modernized C-5M safeguards the U.S. government's capability to move massive amounts of cargo as the workhorse for the U.S. Air Force global reach mission and ensures the most cost effective, viable strategic airlift resource for America through the year 2040."This unique aircraft has provided the U.S. Air Force and our nation with an incredible capability since it first started supporting our country's strategic air mobility requirement to move massive amounts of cargo and troops," said George Shultz, Vice President, Lockheed Martin C-5 Modernization program. "Supporting our country's global reach mission has been a priority for Lockheed Martin since the C-5 program began. This new aircraft, unlike any other in the world, provides the United States with unmatched capability into the future and unmatched operational cost savings to enable the Air Force to divert operational savings to other high priority needs. It's great to be part of the team that ensures that the U.S. will have airlift capability that only the C-5 can provide well into this century."
The C-5M includes avionics modernization, along with reliability enhancement and re-engining. "This new technology provides the Air Force with more powerful fuel saving engines and higher aircraft availability than in the past and will mean unprecedented operational and maintenance savings. The Air Force prudently invested in this modernized aircraft and it's proving to be the most cost effective solution for the Air Force to maintain strategic airlift capability into the future," said Shultz.
"It's a big day for the Air Force, Air Mobility Command and the C-5 team. The C-5 will save over 20 billion dollars, it pays for itself and them some," said Col. Kevin Keck, C-5 Systems Group Commander. "It's a one of a kind aircraft in strategic airlift with the ability to carry twice as much cargo as other systems. It's a force multiplier."
The C-5 fleet with more than 2 million flight hours has been the backbone of strategic airlift in every military engagement from Vietnam through Operation Iraqi Freedom. It is the only aircraft capable of carrying 100 percent of certified air-transportable cargo, with a dedicated passenger compartment enabling commanders to have troops and their equipment arrive in an area of operation simultaneously.
The Avionics Modernization Program adds a new modern cockpit that includes a digital all-weather flight control system and autopilot, a new communications suite, flat panel displays, and enhanced navigation and safety equipment to ease crew workload and enhance situational awareness. An important component of the Reliability Enhancement and Re-engining Program is the new General Electric CF6-80C2 commercial engine. This engine delivers a 22 percent increase in thrust, a 30 percent shorter take-off roll, 58 percent faster climb rate and will allow significantly more cargo to be carried over longer distances.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 135,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2005 sales of $37.2 billion.
I hope those CF6-80C2 Engines don't have that metallic whine/grinding sound that the current engines have, at least a low altitude. My employer is located directly under the landing pattern of the Reserve schoolhouse for the C-5. A very irritating sound, although not all that loud.
Wonder why they went from "B" to "M" rather than "C"?
How does the C-5 compare in size to the A-380?
That's just flight test instrumentation, the production version won't have the big orange boom.
When I was a lad living in San Antonio, I lived under the one of the approaches to Kelly AFB; On occasion, the radio chatter of approaching C-5s could be heard...through the TV.
To this day, one of my favourite sounds is that of engines of a C-5 - very distinctive.
Super-G props!!!! Not that I know a damn thing about it but I like any military flying machine
Dixon here.
There are already 2 C-5C's, both located at Travis AFB. They are originally C-5A's, and were modified to carry Space Shuttle components, by having their troop compartments removed, and special cargo doors installed in the aft section. These are the only C-5's that never leave the United States.
The M in C-5M stands for...are you ready?..."Modernized." At least that's what the Lockheed dudes tell us.
The C-5C model already exists. Two C-5A's were modified to transport space payloads for NASA and the DOD. One of them did a landing without nosegear just prior to its modification. They had cracked skin replaced by new metal using the same aluminum alloys used in the C-5B. The upper deck troop carrying compartment was removed to allow more space for extra large cargo, and new improved landing gears were installed.
I think "M" stands for "modernized". The M designation will apply to both converted C-5B's and C-A's, and the C-5C's will also undergo the AMP and RERP
This was a washrack hanger. It was used exclusively to wash off returning flights. It had an overhead gantry that traversed the hanger and was used with a high pressure washer system to clean the C-5's. My contract was to work on the drainage system inside the building and the separators it fed. This must have been in the late 80's.
Great minds have the same resources!
That would be Building 811, then. It's capable of handling anything the AF can fly. Buildings 810 and 818 are even larger!
That is a controversial sentiment. There are several Freepers (me not included) who love that sound. I won't miss the sound of the weekly C-5 the local naval air station gets. As I said in post #19, the new engines are very similar to the ones used on the 747-400 and are much quieter. Also since there have been over 2,500 CF6-80's built, there should be much less trouble maintaining the new engines on the C-5M over the life of the program.
But it makes sense if other dignitaries landed there -- to see this historic flight (later on that day).
If I remember correctly, everything but the tail fin fit in this hanger. I did a lot of work at Travis between 1985 to the mid 90's. I do a lot of base contracting in the western states, but it's been quite awhile since I've been to Travis.
Bigger cargo volume but lower gross weight.
From time to time, if I heard it taxiing for takeoff, I would run over to the FamCamp (camping area for visiting family members) and watch it take off. I would frequently marvel that the thing could get into the air at all.
My only question is, Why does it fly???
The Bernoulli effect.
LOL
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