For all of its flaws and proverbial warts – after all, its own crews have nicknamed the plane "FRED (F*cking Ridiculous Economic Disaster) – the Lockheed/Lockheed Martin C-5 Galaxy cargo plane is still chugging along after 55 years. So, apparently, unlike Sammy Hagar, "Fred" *can* drive 55: With that in mind, Simple Flying now goes "5x5" (so to speak) by discussing 5 remarkable facts about the 55-year-old C-5. The C-5 Super Galaxy is expected to fly beyond 2040 and is the Air Force's only and largest strategic airlifter.
5 Are C-5 aircraft still flying? Well, um, yes...
The first Lockheed C-5A Galaxy was delivered to the USAF on December 17, 1969 – subsequent to its maiden flight on June 30, 1968 – and flew its first operational mission on 9 July 1970 in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. Lockheed became Lockheed Martin after its merger with Martin Marietta in March 1995. The original variant of the Galaxy, the C-5A, was produced from 1968 to 1973, followed by the C-5B from 1985 to 1989.
The latest and greatest edition, the C-5M Super Galaxy, dates back to 2006, stemming from upgrades via the Reliability Enhancement and Re-engining Program (RERP) . The resultant new engines and modernized avionics are designed to extend the warbird's service life to 2040 and beyond and will hopefully help the old warbird shed at least some of its reputation for unreliability (although the "FRED" moniker will probably still be retained for affectionate posterity). 4 Is a C-5 Galaxy.