PAUL LEWIS / WASHINGTON DC
AMP will equip transport aircraft to meet air traffic needs and pave way for re-engining
The first Lockheed Martin C-5B Galaxy upgraded under the Avionics Modernisation Programme (AMP) completed its maiden flight late last month.
AMP will ensure the large transporter's compatibility with the new global air traffic management system and is a foundation for the far more extensive Reliability Enhancement and Re-engining Programme (RERP).
AMP is built around the Honeywell VIA architecture and entails installing a new suite of seven 150 x 200mm (6 x 8in) multifunctional liquid crystal displays, dual embedded 12-channel GPS/inertial navigation system, Aero-I satellite communications, HF datalink and enhanced ground proximity warning system (EGPWS).
The US Air Force, as a precursor to AMP, in October completed equipping its entire fleet of 126 C-5A/Bs with traffic alert collision avoidance systems.
The new digital cockpit not only addresses the growing problem of analogue instrument obsolescence, but will allow the aircraft to be re-engined with new General Electric CF6-80C2 powerplants with full authority digital engine controls, says June Shrewsbury, Lockheed Martin vice-president strategic airlift.
At the end of AMP testing the two testbed aircraft will join a third C-5 and undergo RERP modification starting in late 2004 for the start of flight-testing at the end of 2005.
Lockheed Martin has equipped the first AMP aircraft with Block 1.1 software for basic airworthiness and handling. Block 1.2 will fly on the second test aircraft, the first C-5A, in March, providing for expanded envelope including altimeter capture and VOR/TACAN. Block 2.1 will fly in July integrating Aero-I, EGPWS and weather radar, followed in October by the fully functional Block 2.2 load.
AMP operational testing is scheduled for 2004, with delivery of the first depot-modified C-5B later in the year. Lockheed Martin expects to receive an initial production contract in March for the first eight AMP kits.
The USAF is expected to upgrade 112 of its transports with new avionics, but will not decide until 2008/9 whether to re-engine just its 50 newer C-5Bs or the remaining -5As as well. The upgraded AMP/RERP aircraft will have a common C-5M designation.
Source: Flight International
