https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_C-5_Galaxy
The Lockheed C-5 Galaxy is a large military transport aircraft originally
designed and built by Lockheed, and now maintained and upgraded by its
successor, Lockheed Martin. It provides the United States Air Force (USAF) with
a heavy intercontinental-range strategic airlift capability, one that can carry
outsize and oversize loads, including all air-certifiable cargo. The Galaxy has
many similarities to its smaller Lockheed C-141 Starlifter predecessor, and the
later Boeing C-17 Globemaster III. The C-5 is among the largest military
aircraft in the world.
The C-5 Galaxy's development was complicated, including significant cost
overruns, and Lockheed suffered significant financial difficulties. Shortly
after entering service, cracks in the wings of many aircraft were discovered and
the C-5 fleet was restricted in capability until corrective work was completed.
The C-5M Super Galaxy is an upgraded version with new engines and modernized
avionics designed to extend its service life beyond 2040.
The USAF has operated the C-5 since 1969. In that time, the airlifter supported
US military operations in all major conflicts including Vietnam, Iraq,
Yugoslavia and Afghanistan, as well as allied support, such as Israel during the
Yom Kippur War and operations in the Gulf War. The Galaxy has also been used to
distribute humanitarian aid and disaster relief, and supported the US Space
Shuttle program.
Role
Strategic airlifter
National origin
United States
Manufacturer
Lockheed Corporation
Lockheed Martin
First flight
30 June 1968
Introduction
June 1970
Status
In service
Primary user
United States Air Force
Produced
Number built
131 (C-5A: 81, C-5B: 50)
Unit cost
C-5A: US$224.29 million (2016)
C-5B: US$262.75 million (2016)
C-5C: US$129.17 million (2016)
C-5M: US$100.37 million (2016)
Cost overruns and technical problems of the C-5A were the subject of a
congressional investigation in 1968 and 1969. The C-5 program has the dubious
distinction of being the first development program with a one billion dollar
overrun. Due to the C-5's troubled development, the Department of Defense
abandoned Total Package Procurement. In 1969, Henry Durham raised concerns about
the C-5 production process with Lockheed, his employer. Subsequently, Durham was
transferred and subjected to abuse until he resigned.
In the early 1970s, NASA considered the C-5 for the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft
role, to transport the Space Shuttle to Kennedy Space Center. However, they
rejected it in favor of the Boeing 747, in part due to the 747's low-wing
design. In contrast, the Soviet Union chose to transport its shuttles using the
high-winged An-225, which derives from the An-124, which is similar in design
and function to the C-5.
During static and fatigue testing cracks were noticed in the wings of several
aircraft, and as a consequence the C-5A fleet was restricted to 80% of maximum
design loads. To reduce wing loading, load alleviation systems were added to the
aircraft. By 1980, payloads were restricted to as low as 50,000 lb (23,000 kg)
for general cargo during peacetime operations. A $1.5 billion program, known as
H-Mod, to re-wing the 76 completed C-5As to restore full payload capability and
service life began in 1976. After design and testing of the new wing design, the
C-5As received their new wings from 1980 to 1987.
During 1976, numerous cracks were also found in the fuselage along the upper
fuselage on the centerline, aft of the refueling port, extending back to the
wing. The cracks required a redesign to the hydraulic system for the visor, the
front cargo entry point.
The first C-5A was delivered to the USAF on 17 December 1969. Wings were built
up in the early 1970s at Altus AFB, Oklahoma; Charleston AFB, South Carolina;
Dover AFB, Delaware; and Travis AFB, California. The C-5's first mission was on
9 July 1970, in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. C-5s were used to
transport equipment and troops, including Army tanks and even some small
aircraft, throughout the later years of the US action in Vietnam. In the final
weeks of the war, prior to the Fall of Saigon, several C-5s were involved in
evacuation efforts. During one such mission a C-5A crashed while transporting a
large number of orphans, with over 140 killed.
C-5s have also been used to deliver support and reinforce various US allies over
the years. During the Yom Kippur war in 1973, multiple C-5s and C-141
Starlifters delivered critical supplies of ammunition, replacement weaponry and
other forms of aid to Israel, the US effort was named as Operation Nickel Grass.
The C-5 Galaxy's performance in Israel was such that the Pentagon began to
consider further purchases. The C-5 was regularly made available to support
American allies, such as the British-led peacekeeper initiative in Zimbabwe in
1979.
The C-5 has been used for several unusual functions. During the development of
the secretive stealth fighter, the Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk, Galaxies were often
used to carry partly disassembled aircraft, leaving no exterior signs as to
their cargo. The C-5 remains the largest aircraft to operate in the Antarctic,
capable of operating from Williams Field near McMurdo Station. The C-5 Galaxy
was a major supply asset in the international coalition operations in 1990-91
against Iraq in the Gulf War. C-5s have routinely delivered relief aid and
humanitarian supplies to areas afflicted with natural disasters or crisis,
multiple flights were made over Rwanda in 1994.
On 13 September 2009, a C-5M set 41 new records and flight data was submitted to
the National Aeronautic Association for formal recognition. The C-5M had carried
a payload of 176,610 lb (80,110 kg) to over 41,100 ft (12,500 m) in 23 minutes,
59 seconds. Additionally, 33 time to climb records at various payload classes
were set, and the world record for greatest payload to 6,562 ft (2,000 m) was
broken. The aircraft was in the category of 551,200 to 661,400 lb (250,000 to
300,000 kg) with a takeoff weight of 649,680 lb (294,690 kg) including payload,
fuel, and other equipment.
Specifications (C-5B)
General characteristics
Crew: 7 typical (aircraft commander, pilot, two flight engineers, three
loadmasters)
4 minimum (pilot, copilot, two flight engineers)
Payload: 270,000 lb (122,470 kg)
Length: 247 ft 1 in (75.31 m)
Wingspan: 222 ft 9 in (67.89 m)
Height: 65 ft 1 in (19.84 m)
Wing area: 6,200 ft2 (576 m2)
Empty weight: 380,000 lb (172,371 kg)
Useful load: 389,000 lb (176,450 kg)
Loaded weight: 769,000 lb (348,800 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 840,000 lb (381,000 kg) ;
(190 kN) each
Performance
Maximum speed: Mach 0.79 (462 kn, 531 mph, 855 km/h)
Cruise speed: Mach 0.77 (450 kn, 518 mph, 833 km/h)
Range: 2,400 nmi (2,760 mi, 4,440 km) with a 263,200 lb (119,400 kg) payload
Service ceiling: 35,700 ft (10,600 m) at 615,000 lb (279,000 kg) gross weight
Rate of climb: 1,800 ft/min (9.14 m/s)
Wing loading: 120 lb/ft2 (610 kg/m2)
Thrust/weight: 0.22
Takeoff roll: 8,400 ft (2,600 m)
Landing roll: 3,600 ft (1,100 m)
Fuel capacity: 51,150 US gal (193,600 L)
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