The C-5 Galaxy is undergoing a modernization program for its avionics and propulsion systems that will enable
it to operate efficiently and effectively into the 21st Century.
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Lockheed Martin, Honey-well Defense Avionics Systems, and GE Aircraft Engines have teamed together for the C-5M Modernization Program, which will involve updating numerous systems and controls as well as new engines for the aircraft. The C-5 Galaxy is a military transport aircraft capable of hauling large, or outsized, equipment such as battle tanks and helicopters and the people needed to operate and maintain them. The airframe of the C-5 has about 80% of its service life remaining, but reliability is somewhat lower than what is desired by the Air Mobility Command of the U.S. Air Force. To make the best use of the resources and budget, the Air Force opted to upgrade the systems while maintaining the airframe that has served them well throughout the years.
Under the Avionics Modernization Program (AMP), Lockheed Martin will update the C-5 avionics system to meet Global Air Traffic Management (GATM) requirements for operating a worldwide mission in the 21st century. Development and flight test work will be done in Marietta, GA, while installation of the avionics system into operational aircraft will be done at Air Force bases located near Lockheed Martin field teams.
Honeywell Defense Avionics Systems' versatile integrated avionics (VIA) system will be incorporated onto the C-5M as part of the program. In the C-5, VIA will host the flight management system, flight controls, mission software, and the future air navigation system (FANS-1) communication management software. The system will also provide growth potential for the aircraft to meet future GATM requirements by allowing the military to take advantage of commercial upgrades.
VIA is a mature, flexible general-purpose processor originally developed for the commercial airline market and certified by the Federal Aviation Administration for service on the Boeing 737-700 aircraft in October 1997. The system is a second-generation Honeywell product based on the highly successful integrated modular avionics (IMA) technology developed for the Boeing 777 aircraft. It acts as a series of multiple virtual computers hosting many avionics functions in a single line-replaceable unit (LRU) based on the company's hardware/software partitioning scheme. This allows for hardware and software upgrades along with tailoring the systems to meet specific needs.
The partitioning scheme allows the VIA to host both flight critical and non-critical software functionality in different partitions. Additional functionality can be added to an existing partition, a new partition, or by installing additional core processing modules. Its modular design and capacity for growth will provide reduced test cost, development schedule, recertification, and aircraft down time.
The new C-5 avionics system will provide full authority digital engine controller (FADEC) capability for phase 2 of the modernization program, the reliability and re-engining program (RERP), which is being supported by GE Aircraft Engines. This phase of the program will involve refitting the C-5M with GE's CF6-80C2 turbofan engine.
The C-5, powered by four new CF6-80C2 engines, would experience more than a 25% reduction in operating costs through dramatically higher reliability and performance, including 30% less takeoff roll, 58% less time to climb, and a 38% higher initial cruise ceiling. The aircraft would also meet Federal Aviation Regulations Part 36 Stage 3 noise requirements with its new engines.
Over its 27 year service history, the CF6 family of engines has achieved remarkable levels of reliability while accumulating almost 200 million flight hours in the fleets of more than 150 airline customers worldwide. The CF6 boasts a dispatch reliability rate of 99.94%. Last year the engine was launched into military service with the delivery of two Boeing 767 AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) aircraft to the Japan Defense Agency (JDA), representing the first tactical application for the CF6-80C2.
Frank Bokulich
