Boeing 747-8 Freighter Vs Lockheed C-5 Galaxy: what’s the best cargo plane in the world?

Many cargo planes are currently operating in the world, but which one is the best? To find that out, we will compare the Boeing 747-8 Freighter to the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy, as they are the biggest cargo planes in the world.

Both are large cargo planes with a lot to offer. Each has its pros and cons, so let’s find out which one’s the best.

In this article, we’ll take a detailed look at both aircraft, compare them side-by-side, and discuss their differences.

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Boeing 747-8 Freighter Vs Lockheed C-5 Galaxy

The Boeing 747-8 Freighter, also known as the 747-8F, is an all-cargo variant of the Boeing 747-8 family.

It was the first wide-body commercial aircraft and has been around since 1968.

Due to its versatility, the 747-8F can transport cargo and passengers and complete charter trips.

On the other hand, the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy is one of the largest military transport aircraft designed to transport a wide range of military equipment.

This beast of plane is the largest aircraft in the US Air Force.

The Lockheed C-5 Galaxy distinguishes itself by its sheer size and payload capacity and can even carry tanks, helicopters, and machinery.

Size and cargo capacity

In terms of size, the Boeing 747-8 Freighter is 76.30 meters long, which is only one meter longer than the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy.

The Lockheed C-5 Galaxy and Boeing 747-8 Freighter have heights of 19.8 meters and 19.4 meters, respectively.

So the C-5 Galaxy is only 40 centimeters taller than the 747-8F.

Even in terms of payload, both aircraft can carry about 140 tons of cargo or less depending on the variant.

Boeing 747-8 Freighter Vs Lockheed C-5 Galaxy: Speed

The speed is where the real difference begins.

The Boeing 747-8 Freighter has a cruising speed of 908 km/h (564 mph), while the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy has a speed of 830 km/h (520 mph).

Additionally, the Boeing aircraft has a better range than the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy, with a range of 8,130 km (5,050 miles).

On the other hand, the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy only has a range of 4,260 km (2,647 miles) with a maximum cargo capacity.

However, the military cargo plane can even refuel midair to extend its range further.

So it’s more versatile and has better range when not carrying max cargo.

To sum up, the Boeing 747-8 Freighter is the faster aircraft while the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy is more versatile.

Why the C-5 Galaxy is better plane for the US military than the 747-8 Freighter? (Hint: price)

The story of these two aircraft goes back to when the USAF considered Boeing’s entry into the CX-4 and Heavy Logistics System competitions.

Initially, Boeing’s designs were seen as superior, and it was the one they wanted.

However, Lockheed’s entry was cheaper overall, so they went with the C-5 Galaxy.

In 2019, the list-price unit cost of a Boeing 747-8 Freighter was $419.2 million.

On the other hand, the final unit production cost of the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy was $167.7 million.

Despite not getting the USAF contract, the Boeing 747 was still a huge success.

Both aircraft excel in what they do despite being a couple of decades old.