Lockheed Martin on Feb. 27 delivered the third C-5M Super Galaxy transport to the Air Force. The aircraft was flown from the company’s facility in Marietta, Ga., to Dover AFB, Del. “This delivery is yet another success in the C-5 modernization program,” said Lorraine Martin, Lockheed’s C-5 program vice president. This aircraft is the second C-5M to go to Dover. The first of the initial three C-5Ms arrived at Robins AFB, Ga., in December. Overall, the Air Force intends to upgrade 52 of its 111 C-5s to the M-model configuration by 2016. This variant features new General Electric CF6-80C2 engines, new avionics and about 70 reliability enhancements. These attributes are designed to give the massive airlifter the ability to climb higher and faster and carry more cargo over longer distances. The C-5M program will enter production this summer. Lockheed announced Feb. 26 that is has received two contracts totaling $324 million to continue work on the C-5Ms.
The Air Force and Boeing agreed to a nearly $2.4 billion contract for a new lot of KC-46 aerial tankers on Nov. 21. The deal, announced by the Pentagon, is for 15 new aircraft in Lot 11 at a cost of $2.389 billion—some $159 million per tail.