High Gallery
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Military Aircraft Lockheed C-5B GALAXY Photo By Coll B. Thouanel |
| In order to get closer to the CX specification's ambitious payload and range requirement, Lockheed was forced to reduce structure weight to an absolute minimum in the design of the C-5A. By the mid 1970s it was realized that this had reduced the Galaxy's fatigue life to an unacceptable low figure. In 1978, therefore, Lockheed was asked to produce improved wings of a new aluminum alloy for greater resistance to corrosion as well as extend fatigue life to 30,000 hours. All 77 surviving C-5As were re-winged by 1987. The improved standard also used the more economical TF39-GE-1C turbofans, and the same combination was used in the C-5B (originally the C-5N) which was authorized in 1982 to boost Military Airlift Command's strategic freight capability. This model has color weather radar, triple inertial navigation systems, a MADAR II diagnostic system, and other modernized features. The first of 50 aircraft flew in September 1985, and entered service with the 443rd Military Airlift Wing At Altus Air Force Base during January 1986. Delivery was completed at the rate of two aircraft per month. |
TECHNICAL DATA
| Description | Specifications |
| Manufacturer: Lockheed | Length: 247 ft. 10 in. |
| First Flight: | Height: 65 ft. 1.5 in. |
| Model: B | Wing Span: 222 ft. 8.5 in. |
| Crew: Five. | Wing Area: 6,200.0 sq. ft. |
| Nickname: Galaxy | Empty Weight: 374,000 lb. |
| Basic Role: Strategic heavy freight transport. | 837,000 lb. Max. Weight: |
| Other Versions: C-5B (improved C-5A) | Payload: 345 troops or 275,000 lb of freight. |
| Principal User: USA. |
Propulsion |
|
Performance |
Power Plant: General Electric TF39-GE-1C Turbofans. |
| Range: 3,434 miles with maximum payload. | Horsepower: 43,000-lb thrust. |
| Max. Speed: 564 mph. | No. Of Engines: Four |
| Ceiling: 35,750 ft. | |
| Climb Rate: 1,725 ft. per minute. |