Dépêches

GE Powers the Lockheed Martin C-5M Super Galaxy in World Aviation Records

Dépèche transmise le 18 septembre 2009 par Business Wire

DOVER AFB, Del.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A joint U.S. Air Force and Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) flight crew flying a C-5M Super Galaxy strategic transport claimed 41 world aeronautical records in one flight on September 13.

The flight from Dover AFB broke eight existing world marks and established standards in 33 other categories where there had been no previous record attempt. The records were set in the Class C-1.S, Jet category for altitude in horizontal flight, altitude with payload, time-to-climb, time-to-climb with payload and greatest payload to 2,000 meters. The aircraft carried a payload of more than 80,000 kg (the actual measured payload weight was 176,610 lb) to an altitude of more than 41,100 feet in 29 minutes.

“These records are simply a reflection of the capability of the Super Galaxy,” said Lorraine Martin, Lockheed Martin C-5 Program vice president. “These records are not just for show. They demonstrate conclusively the C-5M’s ability to quickly get the warfighter out of harm’s way while carrying a larger payload than any other U.S. airlifter. This flight also showed the Super Galaxy can operate with that payload at operational altitudes. The C-5M is strategic airlift redefined.”

GE Aviation also completed assembly of the first production engine on September 15^th for the C-5M Reliability Enhancement and Re-engining (RERP) program. Engine assembly was completed in Evendale, Ohio and acceptance testing is currently taking place at the GE test facility in Peebles, Ohio. The engine will be transported to Goodrich Aerostructure’s facility in Foley, Alabama where Goodrich, Middle River Aircraft Systems, and Lockheed furnished equipment will be installed on the engine transforming the engine into an entire propulsion system. This propulsion system will be installed on the first C-5B Galaxy strategic transport (Air Force serial number 83-1285) that was inducted into the Lockheed Martin C-5M production line on August 18^th.

"This first delivery of the C-5M CF6-80C2L1F engine is the beginning of many engine deliveries for Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Air Force," said Allen Paxson, vice president for GE Aviation. "Over the past 20 years the CF6 has demonstrated the lowest specific fuel consumption in its thrust class and is among the most utilized and most reliable engines in the industry."

As an example, the modernized C-5M flew direct from Dover AFB, Delaware to Incirlik Turkey in May of this year with 96,000 lbs of cargo (36 pallets) completing the mission in 2 vs. 3 days, consuming 44% less fuel compared to C-17ER (2 C-17s required for same mission), saving approximately 30,000 lbs of fuel by eliminating an enroute stop, and reducing fuel consumption by 13 % compared to legacy C-5 A/B models.

C-5M World Records

The Class C-1.S Jet category is for aircraft weighing from 250,000 kilograms (551,155 pounds) to 300,000 kg (661,386 lb). The C-5M had a takeoff weight of 649,680 lb, which included fuel, crew weight, necessary equipment, and the payload, which was loaded on 29 standard U.S. military 463L cargo pallets. All C-5s are capable of carrying 36 pallets.

The flight set a new record for altitude with payload of 41,188 feet. It also set marks for time-to-climb and time-to-climb with 35,000 kg (77,162 lb), 40,000 kg (88,185 lb), 45,000 kg (99,208 lb), 50,000 kg (110,231 lb), 60,000 kg (132,277 lb), 70,000 kg (154,323 lb), and 80,000 kg payload. The flight took 4 minutes, 13 seconds to reach 3,000 m (9,843 ft) altitude; 7 min., 27 sec to get to 6,000 m (19,685 ft); 13 min., 8 sec. to fly to 9,000 m (29,528 ft); and 23 min., 59 sec to fly to 12,000 meters (39,371 ft).

The flight also broke existing class records for altitude in horizontal flight (41,116 ft) and altitude with 35,000 kg, 40,000 kg, 45,000 kg, 50,000 kg, 60,000 kg, and 70,000 kg payload (41,188 ft). The mission broke the record for greatest payload (80,036 kg/176,610 lbs) to 2,000 meters (6,562 ft) as well.

All of the records will first be certified as United States national records by the National Aeronautic Association, the nation’s oldest aviation organization. The NAA, based in Arlington, Va., is the U.S. representative to the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), the sanctioning body for all world aviation records. Formal approval of the C-5M records by the Lausanne, Switzerland-based FAI is expected to take several weeks.

The C-5M is the product of two major upgrade programs. The Avionics Modernization Program (AMP) modifications replace the C-5’s analog avionics in the Galaxy with a commercially available, digital avionics suite along with an integrated architecture that allows for upgrades. The entire system is designed to increase safety, ease crew workload and enhance situational awareness.

The second phase is the Reliability Enhancement and Re-engining Program (RERP). The RERP modifications consist of more than 70 improvements and upgrades to the C-5 airframe and systems, and include installation of higher-thrust, more reliable, more environmentally friendly F138-GE-100 turbofan engines. This engine is the military version of the CF6 engine that has recorded hundreds of millions of hours on commercial airliners all over the world and that serves on Air Force One. When a Galaxy has been through both AMP and RERP, it is redesignated a C-5M.

Current Air Force plans call for Lockheed Martin to deliver 52 C-5Ms (modification of 49 C-5Bs, two C-5Cs, and one C-5A) by 2016. Three C-5Ms have been redelivered to the Air Force.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2008 sales of $42.7 billion.

GE Aviation, an operating unit of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE), is a world-leading provider of jet engines, components and integrated systems for commercial and military aircraft. GE Aviation has a global service network to support these offerings. www.ge.com/aviation

Additional notes to editors regarding production engine delivery:

The C-5M made its debut to the public at Oshkosh AirVenture 2009 on August 1 powered with four CF6-80C2 engines.

The C-5M Super Galaxy RERP modernization effort adds new GE CF6-80C2L1F commercial engines (military designation F138) and other enhancements or replacements of major components and subsystems. The additional 10,000 lbs of thrust per propulsion system creates 40,000 lbs of additional thrust across the platform, significantly improving operational performance. The additional thrust comes with improved fuel efficiencies allowing the C-5M to complete some missions in a single flight leg versus the multiple legs currently required. Overall, the C-5M will save the USAF from 8 – 20% in fuel depending on the mission.

This comprehensive modernization program improves the fleet mission-capable rate (aircraft availability) and the overall reliability and maintainability of the aircraft while reducing total ownership costs. Finally, the C-5M has met stage IV noise requirements thereby reducing the unusual current acoustic signature.

The CF6-80C2 engine entered service in October 1985 and has become the most popular CF6 engine model, with more than 3,700 engines in operation with more than 150 customers. The CF6-80C2 engine powers the Lockheed Martin C-5M, Boeing 747, 767 and MD-11 aircraft as well as the Airbus A300 and A310 aircraft. GE currently has more than 160 million flight-hours on the CF6-80C2 engine fleet.

In 2006, GE launched the Tech CF6 program, which incorporates advanced technology into the high-pressure turbine (HPT), combustor and high-pressure compressor (HPC) areas. The new HPT technologies include airfoil-cooling advancements that are now standard on all new CF6-80C2 production engines. The combustor and HPC advancements are available as an upgrade option to incorporate into existing CF6-80C2 fleets.

GE's CF6 engines have been among the most utilized and reliable in the industry. Powering more than 10 models of wide-body aircraft, the engine family has established an unparalleled record of reliability and has compiled more than 330 million flight-hours in service with more than 260 customers worldwide.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6053938&lang=en