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C-5M Super Galaxy: The return of the American giant

The U.S. Air Force will once again play a significant role at NATO Days in Ostrava & Czech Air Force Days. After a year-long break, one of the world's largest aircraft, the C-5M Super Galaxy, will return to Mošnov Airport and that in the company of other giants.

This latest version of the C-5 transport aircraft made its debut at NATO Days in 2019, and aside from a forced pandemic break, it has been both a symbolic and factual highlight of the static displays.

"Strategic airlift is an essential element for NATO missions, and we are pleased that this capability will once again be represented at NATO Days, thanks to the United States Air Force. The C-5 will be joined by another transport aircraft, the C-17, and the KC-135 tanker. Visitors can also look forward to a display of the famous MQ-9 Reaper drone," adds Zbyněk Pavlačík, chairman of Jagello 2000.

The primary purpose of this aircraft is to ensure intercontinental air transport of heavy equipment. Thanks to its ability to carry over 127,000 kg of cargo, the C-5M Super Galaxy can transport up to six AH-64 Apache attack helicopters, 345 soldiers, or two M1A2 Abrams tanks over a distance of more than 9,000 kilometres.

Even the giants C-17 Globemaster III and KC-135 Stratotanker will remain in its enormous shadow. Nevertheless, these are still very significant aircraft. The C-17 is one of the most advanced strategic transport aircraft of its kind and is a key element in global power projection. It is primarily used for logistical operations, evacuation, troop transport, and airborne missions. The KC-135 remains the most used aerial tanker in the world. Its service allows fighter jets, bombers, and other strategic aircraft to remain airborne almost indefinitely, enabling them to carry out military operations more effectively.

This trinity will be joined by the famous UAV, the General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper. Its primary purpose is to destroy mobile ground targets. For this goal, it can be equipped with up to four AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-ground missiles or a pair of GBU-12 Paveway II laser-guided bombs. Fully armed, it can operate over the battlefield for 14 hours; without armament, up to 30 hours.

See you at
the NATO Days in Ostrava
& Czech Air Force Days!