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.
The Pentagon announced new long-term agreements with four defense companies May 13 to develop and produce large numbers of low-cost cruise missiles. And while the effort will focus mostly on the Army to start, it pairs with Air Force efforts to find more affordable munitions.