Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company has selected Hamilton Sundstrand, San Diego, Calif., as the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) supplier for the U.S. Air Force's C-5 Galaxy Reliability Enhancement and Re-engining Program (RERP).

The APU contract value is in excess of $110 million over the life of the program, and includes logistics support. The APS3400 APU is a derivative of a commercial off-the-shelf unit now in service on commercial aircraft such as the Airbus A319, A320 and A321.

"The selection of a well proven commercially-available APU brings the best possible value to the program," said Bill Arndt, Lockheed Martin vice president of Strategic Airlift. "This unit has demonstrated reliability and serviceability, and it is without doubt the lowest risk solution for this part of the C-5 upgrade program."

The new APU will provide the power necessary to start the aircraft's new General Electric CF6-80C2 engines, plus provide additional airflow for ground air-conditioning.

C-5 RERP is the second phase of the Air Force's comprehensive modernization plan for the C-5 fleet aimed at increasing fleet availability and reducing total cost of ownership. The program will focus on upgrading the aircraft with modern commercial engines and systems and making minor structural enhancements to ensure the aircraft is operationally viable until at least 2040.

The initial phase of the C-5 modernization plan, the Avionics Modernization Program (AMP), was awarded to Lockheed Martin in January 1999. The program modernizes the cockpit to improve reliability and allow compliance with Global Air Transportation Management (GATM) requirements. AMP includes installation of a new digital automatic flight control system, a new communication-navigation system and new liquid crystal flat panel displays.

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company is a leader in the design, development, systems integration, production and support of advanced military aircraft and related technologies. Its customers include the military services of the United States and allied countries throughout the world. Products include the F-16, F-22, C-130J, F-117, U-2, X-33 and Joint Strike Fighter, among other renowned aircraft. LM Aeronautics is a unit of Lockheed Martin Corporation . Lockheed Martin is headquartered in Bethesda, Md., and is a global enterprise principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced-technology systems, products and services. The corporation's core businesses are systems integration, space, aeronautics, and technology services.

SOURCE: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company