Lockheed Martin's Marietta, Ga. Reliability Enhancement and Re-engining Program (RERP) production line inducted its first C-5 Galaxy for the modifications earlier this week. The aircraft, a C-5B based at Dover AFB, Del., Air force serial number 83-1285, was the first C-5B to come off the production line in 1985, Lockheed Martin says.

[Photo credit: Lockheed Martin]

RERP for this first aircraft is expected to take 13 months; Lockheed Martin says the modernization time should go down to eight months for future C-55s.

RERP modifications consist of more than 70 improvements and upgrades to the airframe and aircraft systems, including higher thrust engines.

It is the second phase of a modernization effort to upgrade the aircraft to the C-5M. The first phase of the effort, the ongoing Avionics Modernization Program (AMP), equips aircraft with a state-of-the-art glass cockpit. Nearly half of the Air Force's C-5 fleet has received the AMP modifications.

Current Air Force plans call for Lockheed Martin to deliver 52 C-5Ms (49 modified C-5Bs, two C-5Cs and one C-5A) by 2016.