Den Lockheed C-5 Galaxy er et stort militært transportfly, der oprindeligt blev designet og bygget af Lockheed, og nu vedligeholdt og opgraderet af efterfølgeren, Lockheed Martin. Det giver United States Air Force (USAF) en tung interkontinental-rækkevidde strategisk lufttransportkapacitet, en der kan udføre overdimensionerede og overdimensionerede belastninger, herunder al luftcertificerbar last. Galaxy har mange ligheder med sin mindre Lockheed C-141 Starlifter forgænger, og den senere Boeing C-17 Globemaster III. C-5 er blandt de største militære fly i verden.
The Lockheed C-5 Galaxy is one of the largest military transport aircraft ever built, designed to provide the United States Air Force (USAF) with heavy strategic intercontinental airlift capability. The C-5B variant, introduced in the mid-1980s, was an upgraded version of the original C-5A. It incorporated all the improvements and modifications developed for the C-5A, including enhanced wing structures and updated avionics, but was built using more reliable, modern manufacturing techniques. The C-5B can carry virtually any U.S. military-certified air-transportable equipment, including two M1 Abrams main battle tanks, or a massive amount of cargo and personnel over global distances. It is characterized by its signature high wing, T-tail, and clam-shell doors at both the nose and tail for roll-on/roll-off loading.
Property
Typical Value (C-5B Galaxy)
Rolle
Strategic Heavy Airlift Transport
National Origin
USA
Producent
Lockheed Corporation (now Lockheed Martin)
Service Entry (C-5B)
1986
Besætning
4 (Pilot, Co-pilot, two Flight Engineers) + Relief Crew as needed
Kapacitet
Up to 270 troops or 127,460 kg (281,000 lb) of cargo
Længde
75.31 m (247 ft 1 in)
Vingefang
67.89 m (222 ft 9 in)
Højde
19.84 m (65 ft 1 in)
Empty Weight
170,000 kg (375,000 lb)
Max Takeoff Weight
381,000 kg (840,000 lb)
Powerplant and Performance
Engines: 4 x General Electric TF39-GE-1C turbofan engines (original C-5B).
Thrust (Each): 190 kN (43,000 lbf).
Maximum Speed: Mach 0.77 (920 km/h; 571 mph) (at altitude).
Cruise Speed: Mach 0.75 (856 km/h; 532 mph).
Range (Empty): 8,980 km (5,580 mi; 4,850 nmi).
Range (Max Payload): 4,440 km (2,760 mi; 2,400 nmi).
Landing Gear: Unique 28-wheel landing gear system designed to distribute the aircraft’s immense weight, allowing operations from unimproved surfaces. The aircraft can kneel to facilitate loading.
Loading Features and Current Status
Loading Access: Features a cargo loading ramp at the nose (visor-type door) and a ramp at the tail (clamshell doors), allowing dual-end loading and unloading.
Cargo Deck: The main cargo compartment is 37 meters (121 feet) long. A separate passenger compartment is located above the cargo deck.
Current Status: The majority of C-5B and older C-5A aircraft have been modernized under the Reliability Enhancement and Re-engining Program (RERP), upgrading them to the C-5M Super Galaxy configuration with new, more powerful engines and updated avionics.