C-5 longevity

With the appropriate upgrades, the C-5 can last for another
25 years or so. See:

http://aviationnow.com/avnow/news/ch.../glxy07164.xml

Is it worthwhile to upgrade the C-5's, or should we just build more
C-17's?

To answer your question; upgrade. Note however that the article addresses
only the A model. The B models are newer and were built with improvements
over the As.

The C-5 still has a much better range/payload capability than the C-17.
The C-5 can carry larger payloads.
The C-17's short-field capes are not needed for many missions.
It's a lot cheaper to upgrade.

Curt


"Eric Moore" wrote in message
om...
With the appropriate upgrades, the C-5 can last for another
25 years or so. See:


http://aviationnow.com/avnow/news/ch.../glxy07164.xml

Is it worthwhile to upgrade the C-5's, or should we just build more
C-17's?

Please note that the C-17 was not built as a replacement for the C-5B,
rather it was to replace the aging C-141s.

After the SAC stand down, all the Tankers KC-135s and KC-10s where
transferred to the Newly formed AMC. Giving the old MAC command
responsibility for Air refuelings. However the 135s started taking over the
141s channel runs in the Pacific theater. The 141s where having a large
problem with stress factures along the backbones or the tail stabs.

The C-17 was built to replace the 141s, and in doing so the built it along
the lines of the C-130s but with the cargo space of a 141. This increases
the Air Forces abilities to supply forward operation where a prime landing
field may not be available. Like the C-130 the C-17 can land just about
anywhere, look at how high the engines are from the ground. The structure of
the landing gear, and the airframe was built for this in mind. So now the
Air Force has two aircraft that can land almost anywhere in the world, just
one has more cargo space than the other.

As for the C-5B, there have been major mechanical problems with the C-5 for
a decade. The APUs, which is the same as the APUs on B-1Bs fail often, and
replacement parts where in short supply as of 1998. I new a few crew Chiefs
for the C-5, and they all hated the maintenance down times for their birds.
The AC packs behind the Flight Deck, and just before the Rear PAX station
would fail. This system not only controls the cooling of the aircraft, but
also controls the Cabin pressurizations. Without it operating, the aircraft
could not fly above 10 thousand feet.


Bill Maddux
US Air Force
SAC 86-93 ACC 93-98