Lockheed delivers Super Galaxy

• Tweet

MARIETTA, Ga., April 12 (UPI) -- The U.S. Air Force has taken delivery of the second production C-5M Super Galaxy from Lockheed Martin's Aeronautics' facility in Georgia.

The aircraft will undergo internal paint restoration at Stewart Air National Guard Base in New York before joining the C-5 fleet at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.

"Though it's still early, the operational accomplishments of the C-5M in such a short amount of time are extraordinary," said Maj. Gen. James T. Rubeor, commander of the 22nd Air Force, Air Force Reserve.

"Obviously, this is a tremendous investment for the Air Force. With this fifth Super Galaxy, we're adding a new level of capability to the equation for determining how strategic airlift is used in both present and future contingency operations."

Lockheed Martin has been contracted by the Air Force to modernize 52 C-5s -- of 49 B-, two C- and one A-model aircraft -- through the Reliability Enhancement and Re-Engining Program. The program incorporates more than 70 changes and upgrades, including newer, quieter General Electric engines making the C-5M more reliable and 10 percent more fuel efficient than legacy C-5s.

Three test aircraft were delivered and flown before the modernization program entered full production.