Team Dover's first C-5M Super Galaxy, the Spirit of Global Reach, lands at Dover Air Force Base, Del., Feb. 9. Gen. Arthur Lichte, Air Mobility Command commander, was the delivery official. (U.S. Air Force photo/Jason Minto)DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. (AFNS) -- The Spirit of Global Reach arrived at Dover Air Force Base Feb. 9, putting itself in the history books as Team Dover's first C-5M Super Galaxy.
The Spirit of Global Reach is the first of three C-5Ms Dover will receive for operational testing and evaluation.
"Today we see the fruits of a long-term effort by thousands of personnel to develop an airlifter with greater strategic capability than any of its predecessors," said Col. Manson Morris, 436th Airlift Wing commander. "Dover Air Force Base is now home to a highly skilled total force cadre of professionals who will write the first chapter in the operational history of the super galaxy. We will have an essential role in applying this aircraft during a rigorous period of operational test and evaluation. Dover is privileged to be the lead Air Force base for this task."
The C-5M will provide new capabilities for the Air Force. The aircraft has state-of-the-art engines that produce more than 50,000 pounds of thrust, which allow it to carry 285,000 pounds of cargo.
"This aircraft is capable of a significantly shorter take offs than the previous aircraft," said Lt. Col. Mike Semo, 709th Airlift Squadron C-5M Program Office chief. "We are able to take more cargo, farther distances with greater reliability. They've also vastly improved to a glass cockpit which results in greater situational awareness for the pilots. There are upgrades to navigation, safety equipment, communications and a new autopilot system. This really is a modern aircraft for a modern Air Force."
"The new C-5M looks like the same airplane, but it is approximately 10 percent more reliable," said Lt. Col. Tom Loper, 436th Operations Group C-5M project integration office. "The C-5M addressed just about every system on the airplane to increase reliability. It looks the same but it has more thrust so it can climb higher, faster and carry more cargo."
Gen. Arthur Lichte, Air Mobility Command commander, delivered the Spirit of Global Reach to Dover.
"Today, we get to add a new all star to the Dover team lineup, the C-5M Super Galaxy," said General Lichte. "We're not closing the book on the C-5, we're simply starting a new chapter with the delivery of this wonderful aircraft, the C-5M Super Galaxy."
"All the men and women who have flown, maintained or supported the C-5 here at Dover have enhanced this wings legacy and carried the load with honor delivering hope to those in need all over the globe, and they have done that for over three decades with tremendous pride," said General Lichte.
And in a related story from AFMC:
ASC program keeps heavy-lifters in the air for decades
By Daryl Mayer, 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio (AFMCNS) — When the first C-5M Super Galaxy touched down at Dover AFB, Del., on Feb. 9, it signaled the first success of a $7.7 billion acquisition program designed to keep the heavy-lift transport in the air until 2040.
Perhaps still young compared to other aircraft in the fleet, the C-5 has been hauling the heaviest of loads since the early 1970s. The Aeronautical Systems Center at Wright-Patterson began the program, now managed by the 716th Aeronautical Systems Group, to upgrade the older aircraft in 2002.
"This is the only aircraft in the Air Force capable of transporting 100 percent of air-certified cargo. It gives the warfighter a capability he can't get with any other platform," said John Artuso, 716 AESG director.
Creating the new C-5M Super Galaxy is the product of a two-phase modification process. The Avionics Modernization Program installs a state-of-the-art digital cockpit that along with other capabilities has the necessary avionics to comply with current Global Air Traffic Management requirements.
The Re-engining and Reliability Program makes more than 70 improvements to the airframe and includes installing the new CF6-80C2 turbofan engines. Along with the 22 percent improvement in thrust, the Super Galaxy can take off on shorter runways, climb faster to altitude, boost fuel efficiency, and carry more cargo for longer distances--while also meeting international noise compliance levels.
"The upgrades that go into the Super Galaxy increase the operational capability by improving reliability, maintainability and availability," Mr. Artuso said. "The increased range minimizes the need for aerial refueling while cargo throughput is increased. At the same time, it is less expensive to maintain in terms of both time and money."
To date, three aircraft have received modifications at the Lockheed Martin facility in Marietta, Ga., and completed two Integrated Systems Evaluations. These tests put the Super Galaxy through its paces with Atlantic and Pacific crossings, including polar routes that circled the globe and demonstrated the first C-5M movement of operational cargo.
The "Spirit of Global Reach" delivered Feb. 9 will now go through a familiarization process with the 7 aircrews and nearly 100 maintainer currently trained on this platform, according to Mr. Artuso.
Sometime in late summer 2009, this aircraft will be joined by the "Spirit of Normandy" to begin the Operational Test and Evaluation process. Once this process is complete and full rate production is ordered, an additional 49 Super Galaxies will be delivered over the next 7 years.
"This is an important victory for Air Force acquisitions and for Air Force Materiel Command," Mr. Artuso said. "We couldn't have delivered this aircraft without the support of Lockheed Martin and the 730th Aircraft Sustainment Group at Robins AFB, Ga.
