Lockheed C-5 Galaxy is so huge that its take-off looks like you’re watching it in slow-motion
- It is the largest military aircraft in the US arsenal
- The aircraft is capable of carrying tanks and several helicopters
- It has been in service for over five decades
Published on Apr 08, 2024 at 4:07 PM (UTC+4)
by Nalin Rawat
Last updated on Apr 08, 2024 at 4:24 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Tom Wood
The Lockheed C-5 Galaxy is one of the most recognizable military aircraft in the world.
The sheer size of the aircraft makes it look like it is in slow motion even during take-off.
It is the largest military aircraft in the US arsenal, and it shows.
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The Lockheed C-5 Galaxy has been in service for over five decades and is one of the most important military transport aircraft.
Due to its massive size, it can easily carry 50-ton battle tanks and deploy them on the other side of the world.
However, it is still not the biggest military aircraft in the world.
That title belongs to Antonov An-124, which is so massive it makes a regular Boeing 737 look like an RC plane.
For 50 years, the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy has kept the US armed forces, allies, and scientists well-supplied, even in the most remote corners of the Earth.
And it will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.
The most recent version, the Lockheed C-5M Super Galaxy is 247 feet long.
It is twelve feet longer than an Airbus A380 superjumbo civilian jetliner, the world’s biggest passenger plane.
With a wingspan of 222.8 feet, each wing of the aircraft is equivalent to a basketball court.
It also has a height of 65 feet, the equivalent of a six-and-a-half-story building.
The Lockheed C-5 Galaxy is large enough to contain one tank or six helicopters.
It is basically a warehouse on wings.
The Lockheed C-5 Galaxy can fly 5,524 miles with 120,000 pounds of cargo without refueling.
It is also capable of mid-air refueling, so it has practically unlimited range.
However, there’s a new plane being developed, which will give the C-5 a run for its money.
The WindRunner is an upcoming cargo plane, which can carry 80 tonnes of cargo.
That plane will help deliver large turbine blades to difficult-to-reach destinations, helping to assist the clean energy industry.
A lofty goal, that’s for sure.
However, the world of aviation moves at a snail’s pace, so don’t expect the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy to be overtaken anytime soon.
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Nalin started his career by working with various national newspapers in India. He has also worked as a writer/editor for many popular websites, while still pursuing his journalism and mass communication degree. Working as a digital nomad has allowed him to inform and educate through his work. When he is not writing, you can find him playing video games or travelling the mountains on his bike.
