Lockheed Martin said Aug. 18 in a company release that it had “successfully completed” developmental flight testing for the three C-5 test aircraft that had undergone Reliability Enhancement and Re-engining Program modification. Next up is operational testing by the Air Force, slated to begin in the third quarter of 2009. According to George Shultz, C-5 modernization program VP at Lockheed, the RERP aircraft, now designated C-5M, “performed great throughout the test program, demonstrating consistent and reliable performance allowing this team to execute all test points as planned.” Under the Air Force’s latest plan for the C-5 fleet, all C-5B and C-5C aircraft will receive RERP upgrades. The oldest C-5s, the A models, will receive only the Avionics Modernization Program upgrade. Lockheed says it has completed AMP mods on 43 C-5s, which are back in service. The service has some 49 B and C models and nearly 60 A models, a few of which are grounded or on restrictions.
Lt. Gen. Dan Caine, nominee to be chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the Defense Department needs to upgrade its electronic warfare capability and its EW training ranges; just as his predecessor said at his own confirmation hearing.