Lockheed Martin has delivered to the US Air Force the first of three C-5M Super Galaxy transports scheduled to enter an operational test and evaluation phase in late 2009. Two more C-5Ms will be delivered to Dover AFB, Delaware in February, says Lockheed.

The two-phase C-5M upgrade begins with an avionics modernisation programme that adds a new glass cockpit to the strategic transport. This process is followed by the reliability enhancement and re-engining programme, which introduces General Electric F108-100 (CF6-80C2) turbofans and 70 mechanical improvements. The modernisation programme covers a total of 49 C-5Bs and one C-5A.

 C-5M - LM
© Lockheed Martin

The USAF has an active inventory of 111 C-5s, according to Flight's MiliCAS database.

Source: Flight International