Lockheed Martin C-5M Super Galaxy

Lockheed Martin · United States · first flew 2006 · transport aircraft

The C-5M Super Galaxy is the modernised Lockheed C-5 with new General Electric engines and updated avionics, flown by the US Air Force as a strategic airlifter.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	High-mounted, swept
E — Engines	4 × turbofan, wing-mounted
F — Fuselage	Very large T-tail above an upswept rear fuselage
T — Tail	T-tail

WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.

Spot it by:

Four General Electric F138-100 (CF6-80C2) turbofans on pylons under a high swept wing
Very large T-tail above an upswept rear fuselage
Visor nose and rear ramp, with a 222 ft 9 in wingspan

Externally it resembles the earlier C-5, but the CF6 engines replace the TF39s. The first-flight year is taken from the 2006 test flights.

Specifications

The Lockheed Martin C-5M Super Galaxy has a length of 75.31 m (247 ft).
It has a wingspan of 67.89 m (223 ft).
Its maximum speed is 856 km/h (532 mph).
Typical crew: 4-8.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

The Reliability Enhancement and Re-engining Program began in 2006, and the first C-5M conversion was completed on 16 May 2006, with test flights from June 2006. The Air Force received the last of 52 on 1 August 2018.

Variants

Forty-nine C-5Bs, two C-5Cs and one C-5A were converted. Each CF6 engine gives 22% more thrust than the TF39, for a 30% shorter take-off.

Where you'll see it

The C-5M reached initial operating capability on 24 February 2014. On 13 September 2009 one set 41 records, lifting 176,610 lb to over 41,100 ft.

Related aircraft

AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 5,266 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.