Lockheed C-5B Galaxy Specifications::

General

• Length: 247 ft. 1 in.
• Wingspan: 222 ft. 9 in.
• Height: 65 ft. 1 in.
• Wing Area: 6,200 sq. ft.
• Empty Weight: 380,000 lbs.
• Loaded Weight: 769,000 lbs.
• Crew: 8

Performance

• Power Plant: 4 × General Electric TF39-GE-1C high-bypass turbofan, 43,000 lbf each
• Range: 2,760 miles
• Max Speed: 579 mph
• Ceiling: 35,700 ft.

Payload

• Cargo: 270,000 lb.

C-5 Galaxy - Development:


With the C-141 Starlifter program underway in 1961, several American aircraft companies began considering a larger transport to compliment the new type. This need was driven by the US Army's desire to have an aircraft capable of carrying equipment whose size and/or weight exceeded the specifications of the C-141. A direct replacement for the earlier Douglas C-133 Cargomaster, the new heavy transport was initially designated at CX-4 and early designs featured six engines. A year later, the US Air Force dropped the CX-4 concept in favor of seeking a more advanced design.

Criteria for a new heavy transport began to coalesce in early 1962 under the designation CX-X and included requirements for a speed of .75 Mach, a payload of 180,000 lbs., four engines, and a large open cargo area with front and rear access doors. Re-designated "Heavy Logistics System" (CX-HLS), a request for proposals was issued by the USAF in April 1964. Responding, Lockheed, Martin-Marietta, Boeing, Douglas, and General Dynamics all submitted designed.

After an initial review, Boeing, Lockheed, and Douglas were given one-year contracts to move forward with their designs.

During this round, General Electric and Pratt & Whitney were chosen to create potential engine designs. From the start, the Lockheed design varied from its competitors. While Boeing and Douglas placed the cockpit in a pod atop the fuselage, Lockheed extended its profile the length of the aircraft. Also, Lockheed's design featured a distinctive "T-tail" rather than the more conventional design of its competitors. As testing moved forward, the USAF came to prefer the Boeing design. Despite this, Lockheed's entry was selected as it was the lowest bid. Many elements of the Boeing design were incorporated into its 747.

C-5 Galaxy - Design:

Dubbed the C-5 Galaxy, the Lockheed design was a high-wing monoplane powered by four General Electric TF 39 engines. The aircraft's cargo bay measures 121 ft. long, 13.5 ft. high, and 19 ft. wide with a volume of just over 31,000 cubic ft. Within this area, the C-5 can carry 36 pallets of cargo, as well as nearly every type of combat equipment used by the US Army. The aircraft also possesses integrated ramps for roll-on/off capability and a "kneeling" landing gear system to expedite loading from trucks. Fuel is carried in twelve internal wing tanks and the aircraft is capable of being refueled in flight.

Production:

The first production aircraft (C-5A) was completed on March 2, 1968 and flight testing began that June. As development progressed, the C-5 program experienced excessive cost overruns that totaled over $1 billion. These plagued the program while also threatening Lockheed's existence. In response, the US Government loaned Lockheed money in 1971 to weather the storm. Pushing forward, Lockheed found during testing that cracks were appearing in the wings of the aircraft. This led to cargo being restricted to 80% of maximum design loads.

In an effort to correct this problem, a program began in 1976 to re-wing existing C-5As. This work was completed by between 1980 and 1987. As this progressed, a new variant entered service, the C-5B. Incorporating the fixes applied to the C-5As, the C-5B was engineered for increased reliability and ease of maintenance. These aircraft were delivered between 1986 and 1989. Beginning in 1998, the US Air Force implemented a program to dramatically improve the C-5's avionics systems, add enhanced engines, reinforce the aircraft, and improve other systems. These improved aircraft were designated C-5M Super Galaxies.

Operational History:

The first operational C-5A entered service on December 17, 1969. Units utilizing the aircraft were quickly established at Charleston, Dover, Travis, and Altus Air Force Bases. The following July, the type made its first flights in support of American operations during the Vietnam War. Flying troops, supplies, equipment, and smaller aircraft to the warzone, the C-5 quickly proved a valuable asset. It again demonstrated this ability in support of Israeli efforts during the 1973 Yom Kippur War (Operation Nickel Grass) and in aiding other NATO countries.

Active during the Gulf War, the C-5 has flown in support of coalition actions during the Iraq War and Conflict in Afghanistan. C-5s have also aided in delivering supplies to bases in the Antarctic and are the largest aircraft to operate in that region. Plagued by reliability issues during its career, the USAF began considering retiring the aircraft in 2003 with the goal of replacing it with addition C-17 Globemasters. This move was initially blocked by Congress and the arrival of C-5Ms mitigated some of the USAF's concerns.

In 2009, the USAF again moved towards retiring the aircraft and stipulated that one C-5 will be retired for every ten C-17s ordered. During its production run, a total of 131 C-5s were built (C-5A: 81, C-5B: 50).

Selected Sources

• Lockheed Martin: C-5M Super Galaxy
• Global Security: Lockheed C-5 Galaxy