Lockheed Martin’s C-5M Fleet Delivered With Modernized RERP Program

Lockheed Martin under the U.S. Air Force's Reliability Enhancement and Re-engining Program (RERP) delivered the 52nd C-5M Super Galaxy strategic transport on Aug. 2, the company said in a statement yesterday.

 The modernized RERP extends the service life of the C-5 fleet until the 2040s.

"With the capability inherent in the C-5M, the Super Galaxy is more efficient and more reliable, and better able to do its job of truly global strategic airlift," said Patricia Pagan, Lockheed Martin Air Mobility and Maritime Missions Strategic Airlift director.

The aircraft will undergo interior paint restoration in Stewart Air Force Base, New York, ferried by an Air Force Reserve Command aircrew from the 439th Airlift Wing at Massachusetts. Once the work is complete, the aircraft will be flown to Westover Air Reserve Base, where it will be the eighth C-5M assigned to the base.

RERP incorporates more than 70 improvements like reliability, efficiency, maintainability and modifications to the airframe structure; environmental and pneumatic systems; hydraulic systems, electrical system; fuel system; landing gear; and flight controls.

The heart of the system is the GE F138 turbofan engine (known as a CF6-80C2L1F in the commercial world) providing 22 percent more thrust than the out-of-production TF39 turbofans on the earlier C-5A/B/C aircraft. The engines also allow the C-5M to meet the FAA's Stage 4 noise reduction requirements.

The C-5 is capable of carrying two 78-ton M1A1 main battle tanks or helicopters and other large equipment intercontinental distances.All of the C-5s were built at Lockheed Martin's Marietta site.