Work is under way at Travis AFB, Calif., to modernize the avionics on the last three of the Air Force’s C-5 Galaxy airlifters. Air Force and Lockheed Martin officials expect to complete these activities next May. Once upgraded, these three C-5As will join the West Virginia Air National Guard’s 167th Airlift Wing in Martinsburg. They were formerly assigned to Air Force Reserve Command’s 445th AW at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, which is transitioning to the C-17. Lockheed began upgrading C-5 cockpits in 2004 under the C-5 Avionics Modernization Program. This upgrade adds a new all-weather flight control system and autopilot as well as a new communications suite, flat-panel displays, and an enhanced navigation and safety system. It also incorporates two integrated datalink systems in the cockpit, according to Lynn Rollin, C-5 AMP project manager with Travis’ 60th Maintenance Group. (Travis report by Merrie Schilter-Lowe)
Sticker Shock Drags Out USAF’s E-7 Negotiations with Boeing
April 18, 2024
While a deal on the E-7 Wedgetail airborne battle management jet may come soon, negotiations are stuck on the high price Boeing is asking for the development jets, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said recently.