Lockheed Martin announced on Monday that it has received the next funding increment to continue modernizing a portion of the C-5 transport fleet with new engines and reliability improvements. The $344.3 million infusion covers work on 15 aircraft during the low-rate production phase of the C-5 reliability enhancement and re-engining program, or RERP. The company said this news comes upon the heels of the Pentagon acquisition executive’s approval of the funding’s release. RERP is the Air Force’s second major C-5 upgrade initiative. While all 111 C-5s in the fleet are getting a state-of-the-art glass cockpit under a separate project, only 52 C-5s (almost exclusively B-models) will receive the RERP improvements. The C-5s with both sets of new gear are designated C-5Ms. Already, the Air Force has three C-5Ms, all used as test aircraft. The next C-5M is expected to arrive in the fleet come September, said Lockheed.
Competitors Not Picked for CCA Look Forward to Increment 2
April 25, 2024
While none of the major aircraft contractors were selected to develop the Collaborative Combat Aircraft, all three say they are seeking further autonomous aircraft work for the Navy, foreign partners, or in the classified arena, and maybe future versions of the CCA itself.