Lockheed Martin redelivered the 32nd C-5M Super Galaxy upgraded on its conversion line at Marietta, Ga., completing 2015 Galaxy deliveries a week ahead of schedule on Dec. 9, the company announced. Former C-5B, serial number 86-0016, was ferried from Marietta to Stewart ANGB, N.Y., for interior refurbishment before onward delivery to Travis AFB, Calif. The aircraft logged 21,510 flying hours before conversion to C-5M standards, and will become the 14th Super Galaxy delivered to Travis. The aircraft underwent both Avionics Modernization Program (AMP) and the separate Reliability Enhancement and Re-engining Program (RERP) to bring it up to C-5M standards. The Air Force is converting a total of 52 legacy C-5s under the combined AMP and RERP programs. Lockheed Martin delivered the previous C-5M at the end of October.
As Air Force leaders consider concepts of operations for Collaborative Combat Aircraft, sustainment in the field—and easing that support by using standard parts and limiting variants—should be a key consideration, according to a new study from AFA's Mitchell Institute of Aerospace Studies.