New, improved 'Super Galaxy' to soar in Dover skies

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Kevin Wallace
  • 436th AW Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  On any given day, when residents of Dover look into the sky, they are accustomed to seeing large C-5 and C-17 aircraft overhead.

Starting Feb. 9, with the arrival of Dover Air Force Base's first C-5M Super Galaxy, a newly modernized bird of freedom will soar above. According to Lockheed Martin, for a C-5 Galaxy to be modernized and be made into a C-5M Super Galaxy, two major enhancements are made.

First, the C-5 undergoes the Avionics Modernization Program. During this project, the AMP phase, digital avionics and a full-glass cockpit are installed, which removes outdated gauges and other control devices. This, in turn, allows the plane to meet current airspace requirements for navigational accuracy and air traffic management.

Next, the Galaxy undergoes the C-5 Reliability Enhancement and Re-engining Program. The RERP project adds new General Electric CF-6 engines as well as 55 other system improvements intended to increase the C-5's reliability.

According to a Lockheed Martin press release, the added 10,000 lbs of thrust-per-propulsion system generates 40,000 lbs of additional thrust across the airframe, vastly improving operational performance.

"The C-5 fleet is now beginning to realize its full operational potential as we begin fielding both Avionics Program and Reliability Enhancement and re-engining program-enhanced C-5s for the Air Force," said Lorraine Martin, Lockheed Martin's vice president of the C-5 program, in the press release. "The combined U.S. Air Force and Lockheed Martin team can take great pride in its success, which is keeping this national strategic airlift asset viable for decades to come."

Super Galaxy's are modified with four new engines that give 10,000 pounds of additional thrust per engine. Lockheed Martin contends that the operational cost savings of the modernization will pay for the cost of the program.

A special ceremony is planned for the arrival of Dover AFB's first C-5M on Feb. 9. For people interested in attending this ceremony, look for future articles in The Airlifter and on Dover AFB's public Web site, www.dover.af.mil.