The Air Force has awarded Lockheed Martin the first production contract for the C-5 reliability enhancement and re-engining program, the Department of Defense announced April 18. Under the terms of the $127.2 million deal, the company will provide the first lot of RERP upgrade kits and procure the long-lead-time materials for lot 2. The Air Force will upgrade 47 C-5Bs and two C-5Cs under the RERP program, which was restructured in February, and also give them new avionics under a separate initiative. They will join three C-5Ms in the 111-aircraft C-5 fleet that have already received the more powerful and fuel efficient engines and reliability improvements under the RERP and the new avionics, and 59 C-5As that are scheduled to receive only the new avionics. All 49 aircraft are projected to have the RERP equipment around 2016.
The Air Force is renaming its traditional aviation bonus program in 2024 and continuing a new, experimental second program, ordered by Congress, aimed at getting aviators to extend their commitment sooner and for longer. While the programs can’t be doubled-up, aviators may be able to move from one to the…