C-5M Super Galaxy Rated As ‘Effective, Suitable And Mission Capable’

Air Attack.com ^ | 3/10/2010 | Air Attack.com

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

The Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E) Center has rated the Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] C-5M as "effective, suitable and mission capable" based on results from OT&E testing completed in January 2010.

The OT&E phase spanned four months, evaluating various performance aspects to validate the capability and reliability of the C-5M. These positive test results enable the Super Galaxy to continue to support critical missions flown in support of world-wide operational contingencies.

"The C-5M test was a resounding success because of teamwork between the test team, the user, the contractor and the program office," said Col. John Scorsone, Director of Test and Evaluation for Air Mobility Command. "The integrated test team will now transition to an integrated fielding team which will build on past relationships to help this program achieve even more record-breaking results."

In addition to setting 42 world records last year, the C-5Ms delivered needed cargo to the warfighter during OT&E and continue to perform combat support missions today. Performance during OT&E proved the modernized A and B models of the C-5 are redefining strategic airlift for the military and will be a force multiplier for decades to come.

Payload and range improvements in the C-5M enable a fully loaded aircraft to fly unrefueled for more than 5,000 miles and bypass traditional en route stops. This not only saves thousands of gallons of fuel, but decreases the amount of time needed to get precious cargo to the warfighter’s destination.

[rlmorel]

C-5. Great plane. Ya just gotta love it.

[Halgr]

I thought I heard that they are reving too few aircraft to make much of a difference.....please correct me if I am wrong.

[sr4402]

[SoldierDad]

The pic is too small :-(

[norton]

Maybe I'm biased by several very long lay overs for undisclosed repairs and looking at acres of non-operational AC; but my translation of the announcement would be:

"We spent the money so it's a success."

[JRandomFreeper]

Of course, the first OT&E team is lost somewhere inside the test aircraft... it could happen, those things are big. ;)

/johnny

[feedback doctor]

A bigger pic:

[SoldierDad]

Having had to provide close-in security for one that landed at Minot AFB in the late 1970’s I can attest to the fact that those things are monstrous in size.

[SoldierDad]

Ah, much better. Massive. The C-5 that is.

[ThunderSleeps]

Nice perspective, looks like it is about to take a bite out of the other aircraft. ;-)

[Ramius]

What’s the difference between the “super” galaxy and the plain old regular galaxy? Bigger?

[GBA]

Payload and range improvements in the C-5M enable a fully loaded aircraft to fly unrefueled for more than 5,000 miles

Damn, that's impressive!

[JoSixChip]

"I can attest to the fact that those things are monstrous in size."

I worked on/in these things for almost four years 79 to 83. They are big, we used to play Frisbee inside the cargo bay. It's pretty good trough end to end.

[rottndog]

I believe they are using different engines now...it doesn’t have that signature sound anymore. I live in the flight path of a reserve training air base...I can always tell when the C5 is a comin’...

[SoldierDad]

I’ve stood inside one once. Impressive as hell.

[Ben Hecks]

Massive. The C-5 that is.

I was a passenger on a number of C-5 special missions transporting space launch rocket components. It's a great ride, particularly up in the crew area in front of the wing box. Aft of the wing box is 73 seats on the upper deck. The crew area has seating for something like 24 plus two bedrooms that sleep three each. When you're the only passenger in the crew rest area, you have plenty of room to stretch out. : >)

[El Gato]

Ah, much better. Massive. The C-5 that is. Take the wings off and it could swallow it whole, and then you could put the wings beside the fuselage in the C-5's belly.

I've seen how they packed 6, IIRC, F-5s into the belly of a C-5.

[hoagy62]

I’ve heard that sound described as “10,000 angry vacuum cleaners...on a mission!”

Navy used to call them “The Aluminum Cloud”. Maybe they still do.

[SoldierDad]

WOW! To both of you.