C-5M Super Galaxy

Re-engined and modernized version of the C-5 Galaxy, the largest strategic transport aircraft in the U.S. Air Force inventory, capable of carrying oversized cargo like main battle tanks across intercontinental distances.

In service since 2013 · 1 operator countries

Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗ ·last verified 2026-07-02

917

km/h

12,800

km range

10,600

m ceiling

Procurement snapshot

Availability & export

US ITAR-controlled

Export needs U.S. State Dept (DDTC) approval; end-use & re-transfer restrictions apply.

Channel: Foreign Military Sales (FMS) or Direct Commercial Sale

Fielded & proven

Limited · 1 operator

In service since 2013. Status: active · ~52 built.

Lifecycle cost (est.)

No public unit price to model from.

Interoperability

No standardised NATO calibre / datalink detected in public specs.

Derived guidance from public data — export regime by country of origin, lifecycle from the GAO ~30% acquisition rule. Verify eligibility, pricing and offsets with the manufacturer and your acquisition authority.

Full specifications

Performance

Speed, range, altitude and engagement capability.

Max speed Maximum level speed. For aircraft this is at optimal altitude; for ground vehicles, top road speed. Higher means faster response and better kinematic performance.: 917 km/h

Stronger than 82% of transport aircraft
Cruise speed Sustained economical speed. Determines transit time to station.: 830 km/h

Stronger than 88% of transport aircraft
Range Maximum distance: ferry range for aircraft, operational range for vehicles, maximum engagement distance for missiles. Higher means more standoff or persistence.: 12,800 km

Top 3% of transport aircraft
Service ceiling Maximum operating altitude. Higher gives energy advantage and sensor horizon.: 10,600 m

Stronger than 23% of transport aircraft

Physical

Dimensions, weight and crew.

Length Overall length including gun/probe where applicable.: 75.3 m
Wingspan Wingtip-to-wingtip span.: 67.9 m
Height Overall height. Lower profile is harder to spot and hit for ground vehicles.: 19.85 m
Empty weight Weight without fuel, ammunition or crew.: 188,146 kg
Combat weight Fully loaded weight. Lighter eases transport and bridging limits; heavier often means more armor.: 381,024 kg
Crew Personnel required to operate. Fewer reduces exposure; autoloaders trade a loader for mechanical complexity.: 7
Cargo payload Maximum cargo the transport can carry. Higher means more lift per sortie.: 129,274 kg

Top 4% of transport aircraft
Troop capacity Number of embarked troops/passengers (IFV, APC, transport). Higher carries more.: 73

Stronger than 15% of transport aircraft

Propulsion

Engine, power and fuel.

Engine Powerplant model and type.: General Electric CF6-80C2 turbofan
Engines Number of engines. Twin-engine gives redundancy at higher cost.: 4
Thrust Total engine thrust (with afterburner where applicable).: 227 kN
Propulsion type Turbofan, turboshaft, diesel, gas turbine, solid-fuel rocket, ramjet…: Turbofan

Program

Cost, production scale and operators.

Units built Total production run. Higher means proven manufacturing, mature logistics and spares availability.: 52

Stronger than 39% of transport aircraft
Operator countries Number of countries operating the system. More operators means broader support ecosystem.: 1

Stronger than 27% of transport aircraft

Specifications compiled from public Lockheed Martin and reference sources ↗. Published defense figures are approximations — treat comparisons as directional. Last verified 2026-07-02.

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