The Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center has rated the C-5M transport aircraft as “effective, suitable, and mission capable” based on results of operational testing that concluded in January, C-5 prime contractor Lockheed Martin announced Wednesday. This testing “was a resounding success” because of the teamwork of the Air Force-industry partnership, said Col. John Scorsone, Air Mobility Command’s director of test and evaluation. The Air Force has three C-5Ms today (one converted C-5A and two modified C-5Bs) that are being integrated in normal operations and already performing combat missions. It intends to upgrade 49 more C-5Bs to this configuration by 2016, giving it 52 C-5Ms in all. Sporting new engines, avionics, and additional modifications, a fully loaded C-5M is capable of flying unrefueled for more than 5,000 miles, allowing it to bypass traditional en route stops, thereby saving fuel and decreasing delivery times, according to Lockheed.
An important U.S. Air Force E-3 Sentry AWACS command and control plane was among the aircraft damaged in a March 27 Iranian missile and drone attack on Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, people familiar with the matter told Air & Space Forces Magazine.