The contest that eventually created the C-5 Galaxy was formally initiated in 1964 as the CX-HLS (Heavy Lift System). The intent was to create a cargo aircraft more capable and far larger than the Air ...

The Lockheed C-5 Galaxy is primarily a giant cargo plane – and to load it up, you need a giant opening. The solution: the nose cone of the plane, known as the visor, swings up to reveal a massive door ...

Since its first appearance in the Vietnam War, the C-5 has accumulated a venerable service record. The global presence of the US military relies upon the US Air Force’s ability to provide strategic ...

In 2025, the C-5 still leads in raw payload and range, while the C-17 dominates in flexibility and access, two giants that shape modern air mobility.