The Lockheed C-5 Galaxy is the largest military transport aircraft in service, introduced in the late 1960s. It has a maximum takeoff weight of 840,000 pounds, a cargo hold measuring 121 feet long, 19 feet wide, and 13 feet tall, and can carry up to 36 Master pallets, two Abrams tanks, or three Chinook helicopters. The plane is powered by four General Electric F-138 engines, each capable of producing 51,000 pounds of thrust. The C-5 has a unique nose door that lifts up for horizontal cargo loading, increasing cargo space. Its cockpit features advanced avionics and flight systems, and the plane has undergone extensive upgrades to remain compatible with modern military requirements. The C-5 requires a minimum runway length of 8,000 feet and has a range of 5,524 miles, which can be extended with in-flight refueling.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The Lockheed C-5 Galaxy is the largest military transport aircraft in service.
2. The C-5 Galaxy was introduced in the late 1960s.
3. The C-5 Galaxy has a maximum takeoff weight of 840,000 pounds.
4. The C-5 Galaxy's cargo hold is 121 feet long, 19 feet wide, and over 13 feet tall.
5. The C-5 Galaxy can carry up to 36 Master pallets, two Abrams battle tanks, and up to three Chinook helicopters.
6. The plane itself is 247 feet long and has a wingspan of 222 feet.
7. The C-5 Galaxy weighs 380,000 pounds when empty.
8. The C-5 Galaxy is powered by General Electric F-138-100 turbofan engines.
9. Each engine produces 51,000 pounds of thrust.
10. The engines are 15 feet long and have a diameter of nearly nine feet.
11. The engines need constant maintenance to ensure they function properly.
12. The C-5 Galaxy has a unique nose door that lifts up to allow cargo to be loaded horizontally.
13. The cockpit is located on the upper deck and has massive windows providing an excellent view.
14. The cockpit features advanced avionics and flight systems, including a flight management system and satellite navigation systems.
15. The C-5 Galaxy has undergone extensive upgrades to ensure it remains compatible with modern military requirements.
16. The plane requires an exceptional limiting gear system to function.
17. The C-5 Galaxy has five sets of landing gear, with the four rear struts placed near the outside of the fuselage.
18. Each of the four rear sections has three pairs of wheels, giving the plane a total of 28 tires.
19. The tires are four feet in diameter.
20. The landing gear is deployed sideways and then turns 90 degrees to face forward.
21. The C-5 Galaxy requires a runway with a minimum length of 8,000 feet.
22. The US military has invested in testing the C-5's ability to land at shorter or less equipped runways.
23. The C-5 Galaxy's average range is estimated to be 5,524 miles when carrying a payload of 270,000 pounds.
24. The range can be extended with in-flight refueling.
25. A C-5 can theoretically fly indefinitely using in-flight refueling.
26. The Antonov An-124 is another example of a large cargo plane, with a length of 226 feet and a wingspan of 240 feet.
27. The Super Guppy is a highly modified Boeing 377 Strato Cruiser airplane used for transporting oversized cargo.
28. The Super Guppy has a unique enlarged fuselage with a bulbous cargo compartment that can hold payloads up to 25 feet in diameter.
29. The Airbus Beluga is a modified A300 commercial airliner with a widened upper section and a large cargo bay door.
30. The Beluga has a total volume of 1,400 cubic meters.