Lockheed Martin announced on Monday that it delivered the 79th and final C-5 Galaxy transport that it fitted with state-of-the-art cockpit equipment under the Air Force’s Avionics Modernization Program. The upgraded C-5A’s handover took place at Travis AFB, Calif., on April 27, according to the company. “This delivery continues the ever-growing legacy of the C-5 Galaxy and the critical role it plays in supporting the warfighter across the globe,” said Greg Ulmer, Lockheed Martin’s C-5 program vice president. This C-5, aircraft 70-448, will be assigned to Air Force Reserve Command’s 433rd Airlift Wing at JB San Antonio-Lackland, Tex., stated the company. Lockheed Martin began the AMP in 1998 to install a mission computer; glass cockpit with digital avionics; autopilot capabilities; and state-of-the-art communications, navigation, and surveillance components on the C-5. The Air Force intends to retain 52 C-5s (one C-5A, 49 C-5Bs, and two C-5Cs) with the new avionics and give them new engines and reliability enhancements, converting them to the new C-5M Super Galaxy configuration. At the same time, the service is proposing retiring the remaining C-5s—27 C-5As—in its Fiscal 2013 budget proposal.
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.