First CF6-powered C-5M Delivered to United States Air Force

--EVENDALE, OH -- The first production Lockheed Martin C-5M Super Galaxy aircraft, powered by four CF6-80C2 engines, was delivered to the United States Air Force Friday in ceremonies attended by officials from Air Mobility Command, Air Force Material Command and Dover Air Force Base, Delaware.

"The CF6 plays a vital part in making the C-5M a Super Galaxy," said Lorraine Martin, Lockheed Martin C-5 Program vice president. "These engines power the C-5M to new standards in strategic airlift and, most importantly, provide critical support to the warfighter, in less time and more reliably."

The upgraded C-5M incorporates more than 70 changes and upgrades, including newer, quieter CF6 engines that deliver a 22 percent increase in thrust, 58 percent faster climb rate and enable more cargo to be carried across longer distances. For perspective, the C-5M with 50,000 pounds of fuel needs only 1,500 feet of runway to get airborne while the legacy C-5 required between 3,000-4,000 feet. The C-5M with 600,000 lb. payload can climb to 34,000 feet in 18 minutes while the legacy C-5s required 33 minutes to reach 25,000 feet. The CF6-powered C-5M Super Galaxy claimed 42 world aeronautical records in 2009, including significant time-to-climb and payload marks.

In addition to performance and reliability improvements, the CF6 adds a whole new level of efficiency to the C-5M. The engines provide emission margins well below the Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection standards. Over the life of the 52 C-5M aircraft program, CF6 engines save more than one million tons of carbon dioxide and over 90 million gallons of fuel compared to the current TF39-powered C-5 fleet.

CF6 engines also produce dramatically reduced noise levels over local communities where C-5s operate. At takeoff, the C-5M is more than three times quieter than the C-5A/B. The C-5M is the first and only military aircraft to achieve Stage 4 noise compliance, enabling continued access to airfields in noise sensitive communities throughout the world.

"We are pleased to play a prominent role in helping the C-5M write a new chapter in rapid global response," said Jean Lydon-Rodgers, vice president and general manager of GE Aviation Military Systems Operation. "The CF6 will help unlock the capability of the C-5 aircraft and allow cost effective operation for another 40 years."

GE's CF6 engines have been among the most utilized and reliable in the industry. Powering more than 20 models of wide-body aircraft, the engine family has established an unsurpassed record of reliability and compiled more than 350 million flight-hours in service with more than 250 customers worldwide.

GE Aviation, an operating unit of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE), is a world-leading provider of commercial and military jet engines and components as well as integrated digital, electric power, and mechanical systems for aircraft. GE Aviation also has a global service network to support these offerings.



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