The U.S. Air Force (USAF) operates 52 Lockheed C-5 Galaxy aircraft, a strategic transport platform and the largest aircraft in its inventory. This specialized, high-capacity fleet requires a complex sustainment program. As the USAF works to supplement its organic depot capacity, challenges exist to stand up an industry depot with facilities, capabilities and experience to paint and support heavy maintenance for aircraft this size. L3Harris has provided efficient and reliable aircraft missionization, modernization and MRO solutions to U.S. defense, commercial, and international partners for more than 70 years, with experience spanning numerous platforms, including the C-130, RC-135 and 747.
The Lockheed C-5 Galaxy is a large military transport aircraft designed and built by Lockheed, and now maintained and upgraded by its successor, Lockheed Martin. It provides the United States Air Force (USAF) with a heavy intercontinental-range strategic airlift capability, one that can carry outsized and oversized loads, including all air-certifiable cargo. The Galaxy has many similarities to the smaller Lockheed C-141 Starlifter and the later Boeing C-17 Globemaster III. The C-5 is among the largest military aircraft in the world. The C-5 Galaxy’s development was complicated, including significant cost overruns, and Lockheed suffered significant financial difficulties. Shortly after entering service, cracks in the wings of many aircraft were discovered and the C-5 fleet was restricted in capability until corrective work was completed.
L3Harris have existing Lockheed C-5 depot maintenance, modification and paint service facilities at Waco, Texas site and have engaged Oneida County’s Griffiss International Airport in Rome, New York so additional facilities can be mobilized pending award of the U.S. Air Force’s C-5 Supplemental Depot Capability contract. L3Harris collaboration with the State of New York and Oneida County will allow thecompany to optimize Griffiss into a world-class large aircraft sustainment facility ready to accept a C-5 after contract award. The massive number of individual parts required for C-5 sustainment poses a supply chain risk, and we’re coordinating with several industry experts who have supported C-5 repair and sustainment for more than 20 years to field a team prepared to excel in C-5 logistics management. Our proactive engagement in solving parts availability issues will not only enable our success but will also improve organic C-5 depot activities.
L3Harris team is also recruiting in the Rome, New York region to grow a workforce to support the C-5 effort. This approach enables a co-located team to support C-5 depot activities and ensures quickly standing up resources in support of the first aircraft arrival. L3Harris’ C-5 maintenance solution, available upon contact award, provides a low-risk sustainment option for the USAF including:
C-5-specific technological knowledge and experience
Two paint facilities large enough to support the C-5
Existing customer relationship with a heritage of C-5 support
Infrastructure ready to execute on day one
New York State and Oneida County support
