A 10th C-5 Galaxy transport has entered Lockheed Martin’s modification line in Marietta, Ga., for upgrade to the C-5M Super Galaxy configuration. Technicians will install some 70 reliability improvements on this C-5B, which is assigned to Dover AFB, Del., and fit it with more efficient General Electric turbofan engines over the next few months as part of the Air Force’s Reliability Enhancement and Re-engining Program. The aircraft already features a new glass cockpit from a separate avionics upgrade. Together, the RERP and avionics modernization will transform this aircraft into the new Super Galaxy standard. Inducted on Nov. 29, the aircraft is a veteran of 125 missions in Operation Enduring Freedom and has flown 41 missions supporting operations in Iraq. USAF intends to upgrade 52 C-5s to Super Galaxies: one C-5A, 49 C-5Bs, and two C-5Cs.
Every year, Congress and the military debate which combat assets should head to the boneyard and which have more life left in them. Lawmakers often opt to keep Air Force systems that bring jobs to their districts, which complicates matters as the service looks to modernize and ditch certain platforms.…