AFRL Supports C-5A Evaluation Program

AFRL materials integrity experts are collaborating with the Aeronautical Systems Center's C-5 Systems Group, Warner Robins Air Logistics Center (WR-ALC), and Air Mobility Command (AMC) in an effort to disassemble and analyze components of an out-of-service C-5A aircraft. Members of the 653rd Combat Logistics Support Squadron at WR-ALC extracted the major components from the aircraft and shipped them to participating laboratories for analysis (see Figure 1). This study is the first of its kind performed on the C-5A, the US Air Force's (AF) largest cargo aircraft. General John W. Handy (USAF, Retired), former AMC commander, requested the study in order to determine if the C-5A's structure and components are fulfilling original design predictions and to evaluate the aircraft's long-term maintenance requirements.