- Side
- United States and South Vietnam
Un C-5 Galaxy asignado a la 60th Military Airlift Wing despegó de Tan Son Nhut Air Base durante Operation Babylift en abril de 1975, en la fase final de la guerra de Vietnam.
Aeronaves y UAV
C-5 Galaxy
Also known as
- Lockheed C-5 Galaxy
- Lockheed C-5A Galaxy
- Lockheed C-5B Galaxy
- Lockheed C-5C Galaxy
- C-5M Super Galaxy
El Lockheed C-5 Galaxy es una familia estadounidense de transporte aéreo estratégico pesado construida para transportar carga sobredimensionada, vehículos y personal. Sus puertas de carga delantera y trasera, el tren de aterrizaje arrodillable y su capacidad de transporte intercontinental lo convirtieron en una plataforma central de movilidad estadounidense en conflictos desde los transportes de evacuación de la era de Vietnam y el reabastecimiento de la guerra de Yom Kippur de 1973 hasta la guerra del Golfo, Afganistán, Iraq y Operation Inherent Resolve.
Role in Conflicts
- Side
- Israel
Aeronaves C-5A estadounidenses volaron misiones de Operation Nickel Grass entregando suministros militares a Israel durante la guerra de Yom Kippur de 1973.
- Side
- Coalition forces
Los C-5 Galaxy formaron parte del transporte aéreo estratégico de Desert Shield/Desert Storm, volando miles de misiones y trasladando carga de la coalición al teatro de operaciones de Asia sudoccidental.
Role details
Aeronaves C-5 y C-5M apoyaron el transporte aéreo de Operation Enduring Freedom, incluido el movimiento de helicópteros y equipo hacia Afganistán.
Role detailsAeronaves C-5 Galaxy transportaron suministros y tropas para Operation Iraqi Freedom desde marzo de 2003; C-5 de Travis aterrizaron en Bagdad en apoyo de la campaña, y posteriormente un C-5M de Dover entregó más de 85.000 libras de equipo en Iraq.
Role details
Un C-5M Super Galaxy de Dover entregó o descargó equipo en Incirlik Air Base en agosto de 2015 en apoyo de Operation Inherent Resolve.
Profile / Specs
Profile
- Origin
- Estados Unidos
- Built in
- United States
- Type
- Familia de aviones de transporte / transporte aéreo estratégico
- Service note
- 1968-presente
- Designer
- Lockheed-Georgia / Lockheed Martin
- Designed
- Década de 1960
- Produced
- Entregas operativas del C-5A desde 1970; entregas del C-5B completadas en marzo de 1989; conversiones C-5C entregadas en el año fiscal 1989; entregas del C-5M RERP completadas en agosto de 2018.
- Number built
- Fuentes oficiales respaldan directamente 76 aeronaves C-5A en inventario, 50 entregas de C-5B, dos conversiones C-5C a partir de C-5A y 52 modernizaciones C-5M.
Specifications
- Función principal
- Transporte de carga sobredimensionada
- Contratista principal
- Lockheed Martin-Georgia Co.
- Envergadura
- 222 pies 9 pulgadas (67,89 m)
- Longitud
- 247 pies 10 pulgadas (75,3 m)
- Altura
- 65 pies 1 pulgada (19,84 m)
- Carga máxima
- 281.001 libras (127.460 kg) para el C-5M
- Peso máximo al despegue
- 840.000 libras (381.024 kg)
- Tripulación
- Piloto, copiloto, dos ingenieros de vuelo y tres maestros de carga
- Motores
- C-5M: cuatro motores General Electric CF6-80C2-L1F/F-138; C-5A: cuatro turbofanes General Electric TF39
- Compartimento de carga
- 143 pies 9 pulgadas (43,8 m) de largo; 19 pies (5,79 m) de ancho; 13 pies 6 pulgadas (4,11 m) de alto
- Posiciones para palés
- 36
- Características de carga
- Puertas de carga delantera y trasera con tren de aterrizaje arrodillable para carga rodada de entrada/salida
- Tren de aterrizaje
- Cinco conjuntos de tren de aterrizaje con 28 ruedas
- Capacidad de combustible
- 51.150 galones (194.370 litros) en 12 tanques internos de ala
Variants
La familia C-5 comenzó como el transporte aéreo pesado C-5A CX-HLS, añadió el C-5B de producción mejorada, convirtió dos C-5A en C-5C para carga espacial y modernizó células A/B/C seleccionadas como C-5M Super Galaxy.
| Variant | Configuration | Designation notes |
|---|---|---|
| C-5A Galaxy | Transporte aéreo estratégico original de producción | Lockheed fue seleccionada en 1965 para el C-5A, y el primer C-5A operativo fue entregado a la 437th Airlift Wing en junio de 1970. Sources: AMC C-5 A/B/C Galaxy and C-5M Super Galaxy fact sheet, USAF C-5M Super Galaxy fact sheet |
| C-5B Galaxy | Modelo de producción mejorado | El C-5B incorporó modificaciones adicionales de sistemas para mejorar la fiabilidad y la mantenibilidad; el último aparato del lote de 50 C-5B fue entregado en marzo de 1989. Sources: AMC C-5 A/B/C Galaxy and C-5M Super Galaxy fact sheet |
| C-5C Galaxy | Conversión para carga espacial | Dos C-5A fueron modificados para carga espacial sobredimensionada de la NASA y entregados como C-5C en el año fiscal 1989. Sources: AMC C-5 A/B/C Galaxy and C-5M Super Galaxy fact sheet, Unique C-5 completes major inspection |
| C-5M Super Galaxy | Variante modernizada AMP/RERP | Las aeronaves C-5A/B/C modificadas mediante RERP se convirtieron en C-5M con motores F138/CF6-80C2 y mejoras relacionadas de fiabilidad; Lockheed afirma que se modificaron 49 C-5B, dos C-5C y un C-5A. Sources: Lockheed Martin Delivers 52nd C-5M Super Galaxy, AMC C-5 A/B/C Galaxy and C-5M Super Galaxy fact sheet |
Carried Loads
Official Air Force and DVIDS sources document the C-5 family carrying or loading heavy ground vehicles and helicopters, including Abrams tanks, Bradley fighting vehicles, JLTVs, and Apache helicopters.
| Carried item | Item type | Carriage evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Main battle tank | The U.S. Air Force Academy says the C-5 is capable of carrying two M1 Abrams battle tanks. Sources: The Contrails: Aircraft, Weapons Systems: C-5A/B/C/M Galaxy |
 | Attack helicopter | U.S. Air Forces in Europe says C-5M Galaxies delivered Army AH-64 Apache helicopters to Europe. |
 | Infantry fighting vehicle | DVIDS documents Army soldiers and Air Force personnel loading a Bradley Fighting Vehicle onto a C-5 Galaxy at Hunter Army Airfield in December 2023. Sources: DVIDS Bradley loaded on C-5 Galaxy |
 | Light tactical vehicle | Air Reserve Personnel Center reporting says a joint team loaded a Joint Light Tactical Vehicle and an M1A2 Abrams before flying them aboard a C-5M. Sources: Army Vehicles Go Airborne As C-5 Shows Off Airlift Muscle Before Airshow |
Carried Aircraft
The National Museum of the United States Air Force says the C-5A Galaxy can accommodate three CH-47 Chinook helicopters.
| Carried item | Item type | Carriage evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Heavy-lift transport helicopter | The National Museum of the United States Air Force says the C-5A Galaxy can accommodate three CH-47 Chinook helicopters. Sources: National Museum C-5A Galaxy |
Carried Munitions
The National Museum of the United States Air Force says the C-5A Galaxy can accommodate two Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missiles.
| Carried item | Item type | Carriage evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Intercontinental ballistic missile | The National Museum of the United States Air Force says the C-5A Galaxy can accommodate two Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missiles. Sources: National Museum C-5A Galaxy |
Timeline
C-5 Galaxy Key Events
Lockheed seleccionada para el C-5A
El programa C-5A seleccionó a Lockheed Aircraft Corporation para la célula de transporte pesado y a General Electric para el motor TF39.
Sources: AMC Chronological History of the C-5 Galaxy
Primer vuelo del C-5A
El C-5A realizó su vuelo inaugural desde Dobbins Air Force Base, iniciando el programa de pruebas de vuelo del Galaxy.
Sources: USAF C-5M Super Galaxy fact sheet, AMC Chronological History of the C-5 Galaxy
Primer C-5A operativo entregado
Lockheed-Georgia entregó el primer C-5A operativo a la 437th Airlift Wing en Charleston Air Force Base.
Sources: AMC C-5 A/B/C Galaxy and C-5M Super Galaxy fact sheet
Misión de Operation Nickel Grass
Un C-5A voló la primera misión de reabastecimiento de Operation Nickel Grass para fuerzas israelíes durante la guerra de Yom Kippur.
Sources: National Museum C-5A Galaxy, Travis Operation Nickel Grass history
Entregas de producción del C-5B completadas
Se entregó el último de 50 aviones C-5B, completando la serie de producción mejorada.
Sources: AMC C-5 A/B/C Galaxy and C-5M Super Galaxy fact sheet
Conversiones C-5C entregadas
Dos C-5C Space Cargo Modified fueron entregados en el año fiscal 1989 tras su conversión desde células C-5A.
Sources: AMC C-5 A/B/C Galaxy and C-5M Super Galaxy fact sheet
Comienza el Avionics Modernization Program
Air Mobility Command inició el C-5 Avionics Modernization Program después de que un estudio mostrara que quedaba una vida útil sustancial en las células.
Sources: USAF C-5M Super Galaxy fact sheet
C-5M final entregado
Lockheed Martin entregó en Marietta el 52.º y último C-5M actualizado bajo el Reliability Enhancement and Re-engining Program.
Sources: Lockheed Martin Delivers 52nd C-5M Super Galaxy
Related Weapon Systems
Sources
C-5 Galaxy | Lockheed MartinPublisher: Lockheed Martin | Note: Supports manufacturer background and the C-5 family product overview. | Accessed: 2026-07-04C-5 Galaxy: Heavy Lifting | Lockheed MartinPublisher: Lockheed Martin | Note: Supports historical background and the original production total for the C-5 family. | Accessed: 2026-07-04USAF C-5M Super Galaxy fact sheetPublisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports mission, service history, dimensions, crew, cargo compartment, engine fit, payload, and C-5 modernization details. | Accessed: 2026-07-04National Museum C-5A GalaxyPublisher: National Museum of the United States Air Force | Note: Supports C-5A background, specifications, carried loads, direct operational use during the 1955 Vietnam War/Southeast Asia War, and the first Operation Nickel Grass C-5A mission during the 1973 Yom Kippur War. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Travis C-5 fact sheetPublisher: Travis Air Force Base | Note: Supports payload handling, pallet count, troop lift, runway flexibility, and other cargo-system features. | Accessed: 2026-07-04The Contrails: Aircraft, Weapons Systems: C-5A/B/C/M GalaxyPublisher: U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs | Note: Supports the C-5's carriage of two M1 Abrams battle tanks. | Accessed: 2026-07-04USAF supports Army helicopter delivery to EuropePublisher: U.S. Air Forces in Europe | Note: Supports AH-64 Apache helicopters delivered by C-5M Galaxies to Europe. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Wikimedia Commons C5 galaxy.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and licensing page for the C-5A Galaxy photo used as the primary image. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Wikimedia Commons USAF C-5 Galaxy in flight.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and licensing page for the in-flight C-5 photo used in the gallery. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Wikimedia Commons C5 Galaxy nose.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and licensing page for the nose-detail C-5 photo used in the gallery. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Travis Operation Nickel Grass historyPublisher: Travis Air Force Base | Note: Supports direct 1973 Yom Kippur War conflict use: Military Airlift Command C-5A Galaxy aircraft moved supplies and ammunition to Israel during Operation Nickel Grass. | Accessed: 2026-07-04AMC Desert Shield Desert Storm airlift historyPublisher: Air Mobility Command | Note: Supports direct 1990 Gulf War conflict use: C-5 Galaxy strategic airlift missions and cargo movement during Desert Shield and Desert Storm. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Galaxy rising: C-5's future to surgePublisher: Air Mobility Command | Note: Supports C-5 variant/modernization context, direct operational use during the 1955 Vietnam War/Southeast Asia War, and direct operational use during Operation Enduring Freedom in the 2001 War in Afghanistan. | Accessed: 2026-07-04AMC C-5 A/B/C Galaxy and C-5M Super Galaxy fact sheetPublisher: Air Mobility Command | Note: Supports C-5A/B/C variant history, AMP/RERP modernization, C-5M engines, cargo/range data, and RERP completion. | Accessed: 2026-07-04AMC Chronological History of the C-5 GalaxyPublisher: Air Mobility Command Office of History | Note: Supports C-5 source selection, rollout, first flight, C-5A wing program, C-5B deliveries, C-5C conversion, and conflict-use chronology, including C-5 supply and troop deliveries for Operation Iraqi Freedom in the 2003 Iraq War. | Accessed: 2026-07-0462nd AW Remembers Operations Babylift, New LifePublisher: Team McChord / U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports direct 1955 Vietnam War conflict use: a C-5 Galaxy departed Tan Son Nhut Air Base during Operation Babylift in April 1975. | Accessed: 2026-07-04TACC Airmen plan major helicopter rotation in AfghanistanPublisher: Air Mobility Command | Note: Supports direct 2001 War in Afghanistan conflict use: C-5 aircraft moved helicopters and associated equipment into Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom requirements. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Team Dover flies first C-5M to IraqPublisher: Air Mobility Command | Note: Supports direct 2003 Iraq War conflict use: a C-5M delivered more than 85,000 pounds of equipment for troops downrange and flew into Iraq on an Operation Iraqi Freedom channel mission. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Travis C-5 crew recounts enemy attackPublisher: Air Mobility Command | Note: Supports direct 2003 Iraq War conflict use: Travis C-5s had landed at Baghdad since summer 2003 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and one C-5 was damaged by ground fire after takeoff from Iraq. | Accessed: 2026-07-05728th AMS supports OIR arrivalsPublisher: Incirlik Air Base / U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports direct 2013 War in Iraq conflict use: C-5M equipment unloading at Incirlik Air Base in support of Operation Inherent Resolve in August 2015. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Lockheed Martin Delivers 52nd C-5M Super GalaxyPublisher: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company | Note: Supports final C-5M delivery, RERP content, C-5M first flight and first operational delivery, Marietta build site, and the 49 C-5B / two C-5C / one C-5A conversion mix. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Unique C-5 completes major inspectionPublisher: Air Mobility Command | Note: Supports C-5C/Space Cargo Modified details, including the two-aircraft configuration and satellite-cargo purpose. | Accessed: 2026-07-04DVIDS Bradley loaded on C-5 GalaxyPublisher: DVIDS | Note: Supports Bradley Fighting Vehicle loading onto a C-5 Galaxy at Hunter Army Airfield on Dec. 6, 2023. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Army Vehicles Go Airborne As C-5 Shows Off Airlift Muscle Before AirshowPublisher: Air Reserve Personnel Center | Note: Supports M1A2 Abrams and JLTV loaded or transported aboard a C-5M in April 2024, with official U.S. Air Force imagery. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Wikimedia Commons M1 Abrams loaded on a C-5 Galaxy.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Public-domain U.S. Air Force image provenance for an M1A1 Abrams being loaded into a C-5M. | Accessed: 2026-07-04