Lockheed Martin Aeronautics has been awarded significant contracts by the U.S. Department of Defense, reinforcing its pivotal role in maintaining the operational readiness and extending the service life of the U.S. Air Force’s formidable C-5M Super Galaxy strategic airlifter fleet. These agreements underscore the Air Force’s enduring reliance on one of its largest and most capable transport aircraft.
One key award is a $48.8 million indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. This deal focuses on the development and integration of a new multi-functional control display, aimed at modernizing the C-5M cockpit systems. The comprehensive upgrade will involve extensive testing, kitting, and prototype installation to align with the latest aircraft configurations, with work expected to be completed by May 31, 2028, at Lockheed Martin facilities in Marietta, Georgia, and Greenville, South Carolina.
In a separate, yet equally crucial, agreement, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics also secured an undefinitized contract action with a ceiling of $56 million. This contract ensures the continued logistics and sustainment support for the C-5M fleet through May 2026, covering essential maintenance and logistical services vital for the aircraft’s ongoing operational readiness.
The C-5M Super Galaxy remains a cornerstone of the Air Force’s global strategic airlift capabilities. Upgraded through previous Avionics Modernization and Reliability Enhancement and Re-engining Programs, the aircraft is designed to operate well into the 2040s. It stands as the largest aircraft in the USAF’s inventory, uniquely capable of transporting oversized and outsized cargo, including heavy military equipment, across intercontinental distances without the need for refueling. With a payload capacity of approximately 281,000 pounds, the C-5M is powered by four General Electric F138-100 turbofan engines, ensuring its long-range, heavy-lift missions.
These back-to-back awards highlight the Air Force’s unwavering commitment to sustaining its strategic airlift capacity, which is vital for rapid global mobility, supporting humanitarian missions, and facilitating military operations worldwide. The continuous modernization and maintenance efforts ensure the C-5M Super Galaxy remains an indispensable asset for national security for decades to come.