The Lockheed Martin C-5 Avionics Modernization Program (AMP) reached another milestone this week with the induction of the first U.S. Air Force C-5A into the program.

"The combination of hardware and software afforded through AMP allows Air Force crews to fly unrestricted anywhere in the world," said George Shultz, Lockheed Martin's vice president of C-5 Modernization. "Modernizing the C-5As today with new avionics further ensures this unique national asset will continue to support the warfighter for many years to come."

The AMP replaces the analog cockpit instruments and systems in the C-5 with digital displays and equipment. It also provides the necessary communications and navigational avionics to comply with Global Air Traffic Management (GATM) requirements, the new set of international standards for aircraft movement and reduced separation in flight.

There are 111 C-5s to be modified through AMP with 42 production airplanes completed to date. The AMP installations are taking place at Dover AFB and Travis AFB and are scheduled to be completed in second quarter 2014. The C-5 AMP fleet has flown more than 9,400 sorties and 40,000 operational flight hours.

The Air Force had the C-5As re-winged in the 1980s, increasing their structural service life to the equivalency of its C-5Bs. The C-5 has been the backbone of strategic airlift in every military engagement since it entered service and has supported U.S. humanitarian relief efforts around the globe. It is the only aircraft capable of carrying 100 percent of certified air-transportable cargo, with a dedicated passenger compartment enabling commanders to have troops and their equipment arrive in an area of operation simultaneously.

Lockheed Martin is a pioneer in sustainment initiatives, offering a number of flexible and individually tailored support solutions. The company is a major supplier of logistics systems and services to military and civil government customers, and provides solutions for platform maintenance, modifications and repair, material readiness and distribution, and global supply chain command and control.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2007 sales of $41.9 billion.

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SOURCE: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company