Article Posted on : - Oct 03, 2011

The C-5M Super Galaxy airlifter. A Lockheed photo

MARIETTA (BNS): Lockheed Martin has received the ninth C-5 Galaxy military transport aircraft from the US Air Force for conversion into C-5M Super Galaxy version.

The aircraft, based at the Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, was delivered to the company on September 29.

The airlifter has the distinction of being the last C-5B produced for the US Air Force.

Throughout its career, it has supported the warfighter's operations in Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. It has delivered cargo in locations such as Afghanistan, Djibouti, Iraq, Kyrgyzstan, Kuwait, Qatar, Singapore, Spain and Turkey.

Lockheed Martin has been contracted to modernise a total of 52 C-5 Galaxy aircraft, consisting of 49 B-, two C- and one A-model aircraft, through the Reliability Enhancement and Re-Engining Program (RERP).

The programme incorporates more than 70 changes and upgrades in the strategic airlifter.