C-5 Airlift Squadrons (IF)

The C-5 Airlift Squadrons (IF) program element (PE 0401119F) within the Air Force's Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) budget is focused on sustaining and modernizing the C-5M Super Galaxy fleet. This aircraft is the Air Force's primary platform for transporting outsized and heavy cargo, including tanks and helicopters, between main operating bases. The program's goal is to ensure the viability, reliability, and operational relevance of the C-5 fleet, which consists of 52 aircraft delivered between 1969 and 1989. Service life has been extended to at least 2040 through previous modernization efforts. This program is categorized under Budget Activity 7, Operational Systems Development, as it addresses upgrades to fielded systems and anticipates production funding in the near term.

The largest line item within this program element is focused on replacing legacy multi-function display units in the cockpit with updated displays for the pilot, copilot, flight engineer, and a shared display. This effort is critical for maintaining compliance with civil airspace mandates, ensuring continued access to global airspace. The program includes software development, cyber security enhancements, hardware engineering, testing, installation, spares, and Systems Integration Lab (SIL) activities. The acquisition strategy involves an Other Transaction Authority (OTA) contract for initial hardware and a Sole Source Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) contract for system integration and modification of two aircraft, with a transition to production anticipated after Milestone C.

This display replacement program is designed to address human factors and obsolescence concerns by ensuring that mixed displays (legacy and new) are not used, thereby maintaining consistency and safety in cockpit operations. Developmental and operational testing are scheduled through FY 2026, with a production-ready design and a Production Readiness Review planned for the end of that year. Funding supports risk reduction, studies and analysis, program support, and change orders, as well as addressing Diminishing Manufacturing Sources (DMS) to maintain fleet availability and mission capability rates.

A separate line item focuses on broader upgrades to the C-5M platform, addressing obsolescence, safety of flight, and reliability/availability/maintainability issues. This includes initial capabilities studies, risk reduction, software development, and analysis to address DMS. The modernization efforts are prioritized by Air Mobility Command (AMC) and may include upgrades to mission computers, air data systems, communications, flight deck panels, and navigation systems compatible with military-coded GPS for denied environments.

A key initiative under modernization targets the replacement and integration of obsolete Line Replaceable Units (LRUs) such as the Versatile Integrated Avionics/Avionics Interface Unit (VIA/AIU), Bus System Interface Unit, Airplane Personality Module, Standard Central Air Data Computer (SCADC), and associated systems. This program aims to ensure continued compliance with civil airspace mandates and to prevent mission degradation due to component obsolescence, with particular urgency as supportability for critical avionics components is projected to end between 2027 and 2033.

Both cockpit display replacement and avionics modernization efforts include funding for studies, software development, systems engineering, program management, and support costs. The acquisition strategies for these efforts are informed by initial capabilities studies and are structured to address the most urgent obsolescence and operational needs. Funding adjustments in recent years reflect the transition from development to production for cockpit display upgrades and the ramp-up of avionics modernization activities, as well as congressional reductions and reprogramming to support other Air Force priorities.