Lockheed delivers last upgraded C-5

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MARIETTA, Ga., May 1 (UPI) -- The last aircraft in a two-part modernization of U.S. Air Force C-5 Galaxies has been delivered to the service by Lockheed Martin.

The aircraft, the 79th upgraded under the Avionics Modernization Program, was delivered Friday to Travis Air Force Base in California and will be assigned to an Air Force Reserve unit in Texas.

"We are very proud of our AMP team," said Greg Ulmer, vice president of the C-5 program, "This delivery continues the ever-growing legacy of the C-5 Galaxy and the critical role it plays in supporting the warfighter across the globe for many years to come."

Under the AMP program, which started in 1998, upgrades such as a mission computer, a glass cockpit with digital avionics, autopilot capabilities and state-of-the-art communications, navigation and surveillance components for air traffic management are installed on the aircraft.

The second phase of modernization -- the Reliability Enhancement and Re-engining Program -- newer CF-6 engines and scores of other improvements are added.

Lockheed said that of the 79 C-5 Galaxies that underwent the AMP enhancements, 52 will enter the second enhancement program to be Super Galaxies.

The C-5 is a proven airlift aircraft and carries twice the cargo load of other U.S. strategic airlift systems.