Editing Lockheed C-5 Galaxy (section)

===Upgrades to C-5M Super Galaxy<span class="anchor" id="C-5M"></span>===
[[File:C-5M Cockpit.jpg|thumb|New C-5 cockpit avionics, installed under the Avionics Modernization Program]]

Following a study showing that 80% of the C-5 airframe's service life was remaining,<ref name="AFviab">Jablonski, David A. [https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/136524/air-force-fleet-viability-board-releases-c-5a-assessment/ "Air Force Fleet Viability Board releases C-5A assessment"]. ''Air Force Print News'', 15 July 2004.</ref> [[Air Mobility Command]] (AMC) began an aggressive program to modernize all remaining C-5Bs and C-5Cs and many of the C-5As. The C-5 Avionics Modernization Program (AMP) began in 1998 and includes upgrading the avionics to comply with [[Global Air Traffic Management]] standards, improving communications, fitting new flat-panel displays, improving navigation and safety equipment, and installing a new autopilot system. The first flight of a C-5 with AMP (85-0004) occurred on 21 December 2002.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060322013056/http://www.codeonemagazine.com/events/apr_03/apr03_events08.html "First Flight For AMP C-5"]. ''Code One Magazine'', April 2003.</ref>

The Reliability Enhancement and Re-engining Program (RERP) began in 2006. It includes fitting new [[GE-Aviation|General Electric]] [[General Electric CF6|F138-GE-100]] (CF6-80C2) engines, pylons and auxiliary power units, and upgrades to aircraft skin and frame, landing gear, cockpit and pressurization systems.<ref name="afm_200401_stg" /><ref name="HookerHoyle2006">{{cite journal |last1=Hooker |first1=John |last2=Hoyle |first2=David |last3=Bevis |first3=Dwayne |year=2006 |title=The Application of CFD for the Aerodynamic Development of the C-5M Galaxy |journal=44th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit |doi=10.2514/6.2006-856 |isbn=978-1-62410-039-0}}</ref> Each CF6 engine produces 22% more thrust ({{convert|50000|lbf|kN|abbr=on|disp=or}}),<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090327102718/http://www.lockheedmartin.com/data/assets/aeronautics/products/c5/A07-20536GC-5PC.pdf "C-5 modernization program"]. Lockheed Martin. Retrieved 21 January 2010.</ref> providing a 30% shorter takeoff, a 38% higher climb rate to initial altitude, an increased cargo load and a longer range.{{specify|date=June 2015}}<ref name="afm_200401_stg" /><ref name="lm_C-5M_extends">[http://www.lockheedmartin.com/us/news/press-releases/2006/may/LOCKHEEDMARTINC5MSUPERGALAXYEXPANDS.html "Lockheed Martin C-5M 'Super Galaxy' Expands U.S. Air Force 'Global Reach' Capability at Lower Cost"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130103184336/http://www.lockheedmartin.com/us/news/press-releases/2006/may/LOCKHEEDMARTINC5MSUPERGALAXYEXPANDS.html|date=3 January 2013}}. Lockheed Martin, 16 May 2006.</ref> Upgrades to all fifty C-5Bs and both C-5Cs were completed by August 2018.<ref name=":0" /> These aircraft are now designated ''C-5M Super Galaxy.''<ref name="afpn_20061120">[https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/129001/second-c-5m-super-galaxy-takes-flight/ "Second C-5M Super Galaxy takes flight"]. U.S. Air Force, 20 November 2006.</ref>

The C-5 AMP and RERP modernization programs plan to raise [[availability|mission-capable rate]] to a minimum goal of 75%.<ref name="afm_200401_stg" /> Over the next 40 years, the U.S. Air Force estimates the C-5M will save over $20&nbsp;billion.<ref name="strong">McGowan, Laura. [https://www.afmc.af.mil/news/story?storyID=123022249 "C-5 still going strong."]  ''US Air Force'', 21 June 2006.</ref> The first C-5M conversion was completed on 16 May 2006 and C-5Ms began test flights at [[Dobbins Air Reserve Base]] in June 2006.<ref name="strong" /> In 2008, the USAF decided to convert remaining C-5Bs and C-5Cs into C-5Ms with avionics upgrades and re-engining.<ref name="FG_part_re-engine">Warick, Graham. [http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/02/15/221590/pentagon-cancels-re-engining-of-usafs-older-lockheed.html "Pentagon cancels re-engining of USAF's older Lockheed C-5s."] ''FlightGlobal'', 15 February 2008.</ref> The C-5As will receive only the avionics upgrades.<ref name="FG_part_re-engine" /><ref>[https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/124337/air-force-c-5-galaxy-modernization-program-certified/ "Air Force C-5 Galaxy modernization program certified."] ''U.S. Air Force,'' 15 February 2008.</ref> The last of 52 C-5Ms was delivered to Air Mobility Command in August 2018.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.businessinsider.com/air-force-c-5m-super-galaxy-upgrade-done-will-stay-in-air-until-2040s-2018-8 |title = After 17 years of upgrades, the Air Force's biggest plane is ready to stay in the air for decades| website=[[Business Insider]] |date = 14 August 2018}}</ref>

[[File:C-5 Galaxy - 060505-F-0000J-002.jpg|thumb|A C-5 taking off from [[Robins AFB]]]]
In response to Air Force plans to retire older C-5 aircraft, Congress implemented legislation that set limits on retirement plans for C-5As in 2003.<ref>Weinberger, Sharon. [https://web.archive.org/web/20160529072408/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-111281311.html "Congress Moves To Limit C-5A Retirement."] ''Defense Daily'', 14 November 2003.</ref> As of November 2013, 45 C-5As have been retired, 11 have been scrapped, parts of one (A/C 66-8306) are now a cargo load trainer at Lackland AFB, Texas, and one was sent to the [[Warner Robins Air Logistics Center]] (WR-ALC) for tear down and inspection to evaluate structural integrity and estimate the remaining life for the fleet.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.amarcexperience.com |title=AMARC Experience |website= AMARC Experience}}</ref>

The U.S. Air Force began to receive refitted C-5M aircraft in December 2008.<ref>Trimble, Stephen. [http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/12/11/320013/picture-lockheed-delivers-first-upgraded-c-5m-super.html "Lockheed delivers first upgraded C-5M Super Galaxy."] ''Flight International'', 11 December 2008.</ref> Full production of C-5Ms began in the summer of 2009.<ref>[https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=conewsstory&refer=conews&tkr=LMT%3AUS&sid=a80TQify8P3k "Lockheed Martin delivers third C-5M Super Galaxy to United States Air Force."] ''Bloomberg'', 27 February 2009.</ref> In 2009, the Congressional ban on the retirement of C-5s was overturned.<ref>Trimble, Stephen. [http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/09/11/332171/more-c-17-sales-possible-after-c-5a-retirement-ban-lifted.html "More C-17 sales possible after C-5A retirement ban lifted."] ''Flight International'', 11 September 2009.</ref> The Air Force seeks to retire one C-5A for every 10 new [[C-17 Globemaster III|C-17s]] ordered.<ref>Rolfsen, Bruce, [http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2010/01/airforce_aircraft_budget_011010w/ "C-5A swap for new C-17s has hitch."] ''Air Force Times'', 12 January 2010.</ref> In October 2011, the [[445th Airlift Wing]] based at [[Wright-Patterson Air Force Base]] replaced all remaining C-5s with C-17s.<ref>[https://www.445aw.afrc.af.mil/News/story/id/123274598/ "445th C-5 era comes to an end"]  ''445th Airlift Wing Public Affairs,'' 4 October 2011.</ref> The C-5M reached [[initial operating capability]] (IOC) on 24 February 2014 with 16 aircraft delivered.<ref>[http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Security-Industry/2014/02/24/Upgraded-C-5M-Super-Galaxies-gain-IOC-designation/UPI-59271393272844/?spt=rln&or=2 Upgraded C-5M Super Galaxies gain IOC designation] – Upi.com, 24 February 2014.</ref>

On 13 September 2009, a C-5M set 41 new records and flight data was submitted to the [[National Aeronautic Association]] for formal recognition. The C-5M had carried a payload of {{convert|176610|lb|kg|abbr=on}} to over {{convert|41100|ft|m|abbr=on}} in 23 minutes, 59 seconds. Additionally, 33 time to climb records at various payload classes were set, and the world record for greatest payload to {{convert|2000|m|ft|abbr=on|order=flip|sigfig=4}} was broken. The aircraft was in the category of {{convert|250000|to|300000|kg|lb|abbr=on|order=flip|sigfig=4}} with a takeoff weight of {{convert|649680|lb|kg|abbr=on}} including payload, fuel, and other equipment.<ref>[http://www.lockheedmartin.com/us/news/press-releases/2009/september/1LockheedMartinC-5MSuperG.html "Lockheed Martin C-5M Super Galaxy Sets World Aviation Records."] ''Lockheed Martin'', 15 September 2009.</ref>

On 18 July 2017, C-5s based at Dover were ordered to stand down so maintenance crews could determine the cause for some nose landing gear failing.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.airforcetimes.com/articles/air-mobility-command-stands-down-c-5-flying-operations-at-dover-afb|title=Air Mobility Command stands down C-5 flying operations at Dover AFB|first=Charlsy|last=Panzino|date=7 August 2017|website=Air Force Times}}</ref> The last TF39-powered C-5 flew in late 2017.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.westover.afrc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1303782/and-then-there-were-none-the-final-c-5a-departs-westover-arb-for-retirement/ |title = And then there were none, the final C-5A departs Westover ARB for retirement > Westover Air Reserve Base > Article Display |date=8 September 2017|last=Smith |first=Hanna}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Balik |first1=Roland |title=An era of Dover-built TF39 engines throttles down |url=https://www.amc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/785826/an-era-of-dover-built-tf39-engines-throttles-down/ |website=Air Mobility Command |access-date=9 February 2023 |date=12 April 2016}}</ref>