the c5m super galaxy strategic transport aircraft a modernized version of the legacy c5 was designed
and manufactured by lockheed martin to extend the capability of the c5 galaxy fleet to remain
in service until at least 20 40. the c5m aircraft is operated by the u.s air force the u.s air force
initiated a two-phase upgrade program to transform the c-5 aircraft fleet into the c5m super galaxy
under the program lockheed martin modernized 52 c5 aircraft including 49 c5bs two c5cs and one c5a
by 2017. the c5m super galaxy transport aircraft achieved initial operating capability in february
2014. the aircraft set 89 world aeronautical records to date the 433rd airlift wing c5m
super galaxy aircraft was exhibited at the stars and stripes air show in texas in february 2020
details of the c5 galaxy modernization program the c5 galaxy was modernized in two phases
involving the avionics modernization program and reliability enhancement and re-engineering program
lockheed martin secured a 454 million dollar contract for the first phase of the upgrade
in january 1999. the amp is aimed at upgrading the cockpit of the c5 fleet
the contract for the second phase was awarded in december 2001 it includes the installation
of new engines pylons thrust reversers and wing attachment fittings to the c5 galaxy aircraft
the first c5 aircraft upgraded as part of amp completed its maiden flight in december 2002
and was delivered to the us air force in october 2004 the second phase began in october 2004 and
was concluded in may 2006 renaming the modernized aircraft c5m super galaxy the first of the three
c5m test aircraft performed a maiden flight in june 2006 and was delivered to the u.s air
force for operational testing and evaluation in december 2008 these second and third aircraft
completed their first flights in november 2006 and march 2007 respectively the u.s air force approved
the upgrade of 49 additional aircraft including 47 c5bs and two c5cs under the rerp in february 2008.
in february 2009 lockheed martin secured a 299 million dollar rerp contract to produce nine c5ms
the company was also awarded a 25 million dollar interim contractor
support contract for the familiarization and operational testing and evaluation of the c5m
the low rate initial production of the first c5m transport aircraft
was commenced in august 2009 the test aircraft piloted by a joint u.s air force and lockheed
martin flight crew in september 2009 set 41 world aeronautical records in one flight
the maiden flight of the first c5m production aircraft took place in september 2010 and the
operational testing and evaluation were completed in october 2010. joint acceptance flight by the
u.s air force and lockheed martin was concluded in october 2012. the third c5m production aircraft
made its first flight in july 2011 and was delivered to the u.s air force in august 2011. the
u.s air force took delivery of the 52nd and final c5m super galaxy aircraft in august 2018. all 52
aircraft are operational with the air mobility command and air force reserve command units
so