Officials at Dover AFB, Del., say they have completed operational testing and evaluation of the C-5M Super Galaxy transport aircraft. The OT&E phase comprised nearly four months of missions and demonstrations with the three C-5M test aircraft, including training sorties and wartime surge operations to overseas bases, to validate the performance of the upgraded C-5 configuration, which features new engines, avionics, and reliability enhancements. The aircraft amassed about 1,300 flying hours during the tests. The test data will be used to inform the Air Force and Office of the Secretary of Defense acquisition officials as they mull future production decisions to complete the C-5 re-engining program for the 52 planned Super Galaxy aircraft. (Dover report by 1st Lt. Brian Maguire)
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.