C 5a Galaxy Systems Engineering Case Study History And Technical Details Of The Air Forces Behemoth C 5 Cargo Aircraft

This is one of a series of systems engineering case studies prepared by the Air Force Center for Systems Engineering. This case study analyzes the C-5 cargo airplane. The success of the C-5 transport aircraft is underscored by the performance of the fleet as an operational system and its heavy lift support in all of our conflicts from Vietnam to Iraq. It still accomplishes tasks that no other military aircraft, such as the new C-17 or any derivative of commercial cargo aircraft, can perform, and has consistently carried more cargo than any other aircraft in the time of war. With a towering six-story "T" tail and a unique knight's visor forward-loading door, this gigantic aircraft is capable of carrying two of the heaviest Army tanks and their related equipment, or three CH 47 Chinook helicopters. The front and aft ramps facilitate easy drive-on, drive-off loading of military vehicles and equipment. The aircraft is capable of carrying heavy, outsized cargo in a cargo bay that measures 19.5 feet wide by 13.5 feet high by 120 feet long. The study provides a wealth of technical information about the aircraft and its complex history. The Department of Defense is exponentially increasing the acquisition of joint complex systems that deliver needed capabilities demanded by our warfighter. Systems engineering is the technical and technical management process that focuses explicitly on delivering and sustaining robust, high-quality, affordable solutions. The Air Force leadership has collectively stated the need to mature a sound systems engineering process throughout the Air Force. Gaining an understanding of the past and distilling learning principles that are then shared with others through our formal education and practitioner support are critical to achieving continuous improvement. These cases support academic instruction on SE within military service academies, civilian and military graduate schools, industry continuing education programs, and those practicing SE in the field. Each of the case studies is comprised of elements of success as well as examples of SE decisions that, in hindsight, were not optimal. Both types of examples are useful for learning. Along with discovering historical facts, we have conducted key interviews with program managers and chief engineers, both within the government and those working for the various prime and subcontractors. From this information, we have concluded that the discipline needed to implement SE and the political and acquisition environment surrounding programs continue to challenge our ability to provide balanced technical solutions.

This work covers major weapons throughout human history, beginning with clubs and maces; through crossbows, swords, and gunpowder; up to the hypersonic railgun, lasers, and robotic weapons under development today. Weapons and Warfare is designed to provide students with a comprehensive and highly informative overview of weapons and their impact on the course of human history. In addition to providing basic factual information, this encyclopedia will delve into the greater historical context and significance of each weapon. The chronological organization by time period will enable readers to fully understand the evolution of weapons throughout history. The work begins with a foreword by a top scholar and a detailed introductory essay by the editor that provides an illuminating historical overview of weapons. It then offers entries on more than 650 individual weapons systems. Each entry has sources for further reading. The weapons are presented alphabetically within six time periods, ranging from the prehistoric and ancient periods to the contemporary period. Each period has its own introduction that treats the major trends occurring in that era. In addition, 50 sidebars offer fascinating facts on various weapons. Numerous illustrations throughout the text are also included.

The C-5 Galaxy was designed in the mid-1960s to transport vast quantities of material to any part of the globe. The result was the largest aircraft in the world. However, it became a symbol for government excess and production was limited to just 81 machines. Initial operations struggled with frequent breakdowns AND, in an extraordinary move, the gravely under-designed wing was replaced. Even more remarkable was the decision to reopen production after a decade for another 50 machines. Because of its incredible capacity and range, the C-5 Galaxy remains indispensable. The decision has been made to refit the aircraft for decades of more operation. This is the remarkable story of the Galaxy's controversial birth, climb to eminence, and quarter century of service. This detailed story is told with hundreds of supporting illustrations, objectively exploring controversial subjects based on thorough research. Never before have the structural and subsystem problems experienced by the C-5 during its early years been explored so succinctly in a manner suitable for popular publication. This was possible because the author's background as an aeronautical engineer involved in aircraft development and flight test. The book also lays out the jet's history and details of the currently-underway modernization program. Unique missions such as airdrop are shown in rare photographs and drawings, with hundreds of other illustrations appealing to modelers and historians. Dimensions: 8-3/8 x 10-7/8 inches # of pages: 104 # of color photographs: 40 # of black and white photographs: 250

Still the largest U.S. military aircraft more than three decades after its first flight, the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy remains an integral part of Air Mobility Command into the 21st century. Lockheed C-5 Galaxy chronicles the development and service career of this behemoth of the airways, starting with the early 1960s requirement for a larger airlifter to supplement the C-141A, through Galaxys troubled early history to the types service during the Nickel Grass, Desert Shield, and other airlift operations. Several Galaxy counterparts, such as the Antonov An-124, are also depicted. Over 140 photographs, nearly all in color and many never before published, show the C-5 and other airlifters in a variety of paint schemes, while detail shots will be of use to the scale modeler.

The C-5 Galaxy is truly an effective military aircraft. It remains an essential, successful component of the U.S. military airlife capability. This book reveals the events that led to the C-5 requirement; and the controversies of its early operational existence. Details of testing, flight characteristics, operational accomplishments and world flight records are presented. Interviews from senior Lockheed management and experienced flight crews validate the C-5's decisive accomplishments.

United States Air Force fact sheet on the Air Mobility Command's C-5 Galaxy heavy-cargo transport. Gives the mission, features, and background of this aircraft, designed to provide massive strategic airlift, for deployment and supply of combat and support forces,

This is one of a series of systems engineering case studies prepared by the Air Force Center for Systems Engineering. This case study analyzes the General Dynamics (GD) F-111, unarguably the most controversial fighter-attack aircraft ever developed. It suffered from a nearly impossible multi-role/multi-service requirement specification, and a protracted development cycle in which numerous serious technical problems had to be identified and corrected. Of the 1,726 total aircraft buy that had originally been planned in 1962, only 562 production models of seven different variants were completed when production ended in 1976. The systems engineering process and its application to the F-111 program from 1958 to 1976 will be examined through discussion of five fundamental systems engineering learning principles that were derived from research on the F-111 program and from interviews with key F-111 government and contractor managers. Through examination of these systems engineering learning principles, the reader will gain an appreciation of the circumstances in the F-111 program that had the most influence on the outcome of the program and the government and contractor personnel who managed the F-111 systems development. The study provides a wealth of technical information about the aircraft and its complex history. The Department of Defense is exponentially increasing the acquisition of joint complex systems that deliver needed capabilities demanded by our warfighter. Systems engineering is the technical and technical management process that focuses explicitly on delivering and sustaining robust, high-quality, affordable solutions. The Air Force leadership has collectively stated the need to mature a sound systems engineering process throughout the Air Force. Gaining an understanding of the past and distilling learning principles that are then shared with others through our formal education and practitioner support are critical to achieving continuous improvement. These cases support academic instruction on SE within military service academies, civilian and military graduate schools, industry continuing education programs, and those practicing SE in the field. Each of the case studies is comprised of elements of success as well as examples of SE decisions that, in hindsight, were not optimal. Both types of examples are useful for learning. Along with discovering historical facts, we have conducted key interviews with program managers and chief engineers, both within the government and those working for the various prime and subcontractors. From this information, we have concluded that the discipline needed to implement SE and the political and acquisition environment surrounding programs continue to challenge our ability to provide balanced technical solutions. FOREWORD * ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS * EXECUTIVE SUMMARY * 1.0 SYSTEMS ENGINEERING PRINCIPLES * 1.1 General Systems Engineering Process * 1.2 F-111 Major Learning Principles * 2.0 F-111 SYSTEM DESCRIPTION * 2.1 F-111 Characteristics * 3.0 F-111 SYSTEMS ENGINEERING PRINCIPLES * 3.1 Learning Principle 1 - Requirements Definition and Management * 3.2 Learning Principle 2 - Systems Architecture and Design Trade-Offs * 3.3 Learning Principle 3 - Communications and Systems Management * 3.4 Learning Principle 4 - Validation and Verification * 3.5 Learning Principle 5 - Program Management * 4.0 SUMMARY * 5.0 REFERENCES * 6.0 LIST OF APPENDICES * Appendix 1 - Completed Friedman Sage Matrix for F-111 * Appendix 2 - Biography * Appendix 3 - F-111 History and Variants * Appendix 4 - Program Milestone Charts * Appendix 5 - Combat Operations * Appendix 6 - Transonic Drag * Appendix 7 - F-111 Inlet-Engine Compatibility Problem * Appendix 8 - Wing Carry Through Box Failure and Impact on Subsequent Aircraft Development

C-5 Galaxy first made its appearance in March 1968 it has been given such varied nicknames as 'Fat Albert', 'Big MAC', 'White Elephant', and 'FRED'. Almost as long as a football field and as high as a six-story building, the C-5 Galaxy is one of the world's largest aircraft and the only aircraft that can transport nearly every type of US Army combat equipment, including tanks and helicopters. It's front and rear cargo doors and 'kneeling' landing gear system enables fast and easy loading of bulky equipment, it's intercontinental range enables it to carry troops and material to any area in the world. Since the 1970s the Galaxy has been projecting power around the globe, taking part in dozens of major military and humanitarian operations. This reprint includes 6 all-new pages packed with color photos and additional information about the Galaxy.