Saving the Galaxy: The C-5 AMP/RERP Program

C-5 Galaxy
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When it was introduced, back in 1970, the C-5 Galaxy was the largest plane in the world. It also has the highest operating cost of any US Air Force weapon system, owing to extremely high maintenance demands as well as poor fuel economy. Worse, availability rates routinely hover near 50%. To add insult to injury, the Russians not only built a bigger plane (the AN-124), they sold it off at the end of the Cold War to semi-private operators, turning it into a commercial success whose customer list now includes… NATO.

Meanwhile, the USA still needs long-range, heavy load airlift. The AN-124’s commercial success may get its production line restarted, but the C-5 has no such hope. Boeing’s smaller C-17s cost more than $200 million per plane. That’s about the cost of a 747-8 freighter, for much higher availability rates than the C-5. What’s the right balance?

Sunrise? Sunset?
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The US Air Force believes that the right balance involves keeping some of the larger C-5s, and thought they could save money by upgrading and renewing their avionics (AMP) and engines (RERP). Their hope was that this would eliminate the problems that keep so many C-5s in the hangar, cut down on future maintenance costs, and grow airlift capacity without adding new planes. Unfortunately, the program experienced major cost growth. In response, the C-5M program wound up being both cut in size, and cut in 2. The C-5A and C-5B/C fleets are now slated for different treatment, which will deliver fewer of the hoped-for benefits, in exchange for lower costs and lower risk:

• The C-5’s AMP/RERP Changes
• The AMP/RERP Program and the C-5 Gamble [updated]
• Contracts & Key Events, 1999 – Present [updated]
• Additional Readings & Sources

If the C-5 upgrade works, the USAF won't need more new C-17s. If the Air Force waits and finds that AMP/RERP doesn't work, the C-17 line will be closed, leaving no strategic lift option. The stakes are enormous, costs are ballooning, and the issues are serious. Subscribe for an in-depth look at this critical program, its challenges, its progress, its contracts, and related research resources. + Background on the AMP and RERP initiatives, which aim to keep the C-5 fleet flying + Discussion of the program goals, and a review of competing aircraft; analysis of the costs, delays,and overall C-5 capacity + Over 10 photos + Related articles from DII including: “NATO’s AN-124s: A Russian Solution to the Airlift Problem… And More?,” “More AN-124s On The Way? Antonov Signs Agreement With Key Customers” “Interactive: C-5s vs. C-17s in Washington,” “Delayed Pentagon Mobility Study Finally Offers a Preview,” “USAF Talking to Airbus About A380 Air Force 1, C-5 Replacement?” + Time saving links to background materials and additional articles Subscribe now to the Defense Industry Insider. DII covers hundreds of defense procurement programs, and gives thousands of links, expert analysis and the latest industry news.

 

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