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.
This year’s Association of the United States Army’s annual meeting buzzed with talk of countering the rapidly evolving drone threat facing the entire U.S. military, including the Air Force. Leaders and defense industry officials discussed the need for new approaches to procurement and employment of a new class of these…
