Lockheed Martin won a $23 million initial contract to modernize the first production C-5M Super Galaxy aircraft for the U.S. Air Force, the company said. The initial contract begins the second of two phases in C-5 modernization. The Avionics Modernization Program provides the digital backbone and the Reliability Enhancement and Re-engining Program (RERP) completes the process by offering significant improvements in reliability, maintainability and availability. "The post-modification savings will be achieved primarily through the commercially proven General Electric CF6 propulsion system which offers significant improvements in reliability, capability and added fuel efficiency. This program will save $4 for every $1 invested over the life of the aircraft," said George Shultz, vice president, Lockheed Martin C-5 Modernization program. There are three C-5M Super Galaxy aircraft (two former C-5Bs, one former C-5A) in flight testing that have logged more than 260 flight hours.