Lockheed C-5 Galaxy
Summary
| Category | Transport aircraft |
| Origin country | 🇺🇸 United States |
| First flight | 30 June 1968 |
| Year of introduction | 1971 |
| Number produced | 131 units |
| Average unit price | $168 million |
Description
The C-5 Galaxy is a transport aircraft designed to move the heaviest military equipment, able to carry over 120 tons of cargo over a range of 5500 km. It won a competition against a prototype from Boeing, which eventually served as the basis for the 747.
The C-5 was the largest aircraft in the world until the arrival of the An-124 Condor, which itself was recently surpassed by the An-225 Cossack. Possible loading configurations include two M-1 Abram tanks, six AH-64 combat helicopters, or a 74-ton mobile bridge.
The aircraft is designed to operate from runways of the same length as the C-141 Starlifter, approximately 2400 m for takeoff and 1200 m for landing. Its landing gear consists of 32 wheels with powerful shock absorption to handle dirt runways. The aircraft can also lower itself to facilitate loading by reducing the incline of the loading ramps. Its structure is robust and designed to withstand over 30,000 flight hours.
The progressive modernization program for the C-5 is expected to keep this aircraft in service at least until 2040.
Technical specifications
| Version: C-5B | |
|---|---|
| Crew | 5 members |
| Operational range | 11700 km (7270 mi) |
| Maximum speed | 932 km/h (579 mph) |
| Wing area | 576 m² (6200.0 sqft) |
| Wingspan | 67.9 m (222.7 ft) |
| Height | 19.8 m (65.1 ft) |
| Length | 75.3 m (247.1 ft) |
| Service ceiling | 10600 m (34777 ft) |
| Empty weight | 172365 kg (379999 lbs) |
| Max. takeoff weight | 381017 kg (839998 lbs) |
| Climb rate | 9.14 m/s (30.0 ft/s) |
| Takeoff distance | 2600 m (8530 ft) |
| Powerplant | 4 × turbofans General Electric TF39-GE-1C delivering 19674 kgp |
Current operating countries
| Country | Units | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
United States | 52 | |
Numbers in parentheses, e.g. '(+5)', indicate units ordered but not yet delivered.
All operators
Photo of C-5 Galaxy
