Have you ever wondered what it would be like to witness a battle between the two biggest air giants? Well, here’s your chance! Let’s look at an epic showdown between the C5 Galaxy vs Airbus A380. Both have been heralded as the world’s largest and most powerful planes. But which one will come out on top? Let’s find out!
| Aircraft: | Lockheed Martin C5 Galaxy | Airbus A380-800 |
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| Photo: |
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| Country: | United States | France |
| Manufactured: | from: 1970 to: Present | from: 2007 to: Present |
| ICAO: | - | A380 |
| Price: | $167.7 million | $445.6 million |
| Avionics: | Honeywell Defense Avionics Systems | Thales Rockwell Honeywell Combo |
| Engine: | 4 × General Electric TF39 | 4x Engine Alliance GP7270 or Rolls-Royce Trent 900 |
| Engine Type: | - | Turbofan |
| Power: | 43,000 pound-force | 81,500 pound-force |
| Max Cruise Speed: |
503 knots 932 Km/h |
587 knots 1,087 Km/h |
| Approach Speed (Vref): | - | 135 knots |
| Travel Range: |
2,400 Nautical Miles
4,445 Kilometers |
8,000 Nautical Miles
14,816 Kilometers |
| Fuel Economy: |
0.05 nautical mile / gallon 0.024 kilometres / litre |
0.1 nautical mile / gallon 0.049 kilometres / litre |
| Service Ceiling: | 34,000 feet | 43,000 feet |
| Rate of Climb: | - |
1500 feet / minute 7.62metre / second |
| Take Off Distance: |
2560 metre 8,398.85 feet |
2749 metre 9,018.92 feet |
| Landing Distance: |
1097 metre 3,599.04 feet |
1524 metre 4,999.94 feet |
| Max Take Off Weight: |
1,851,852 Kg 4,082,593 lbs |
575,000 Kg 1,267,645 lbs |
| Max Landing Weight: | - |
395,000 Kg 870,817 lbs |
| Max Payload: |
122,472 Kg 270,002 lbs |
87,000 Kg 191,800 lbs |
| Fuel Tank Capacity: |
51,150 gallon 193,623 litre |
85,472 gallon 323,546 litre |
| Baggage Volume: | - |
190 m3 6,710 ft3 |
| Seats - Economy: | 8 seats | 853 seats |
| Seats - Business Class: | - | 480 seats |
| Seats - First Class: | - | 416 seats |
| Cabin Height: | - |
3 metre 9.84 feet |
| Cabin Width: |
6 metre 19.68 feet |
6.58 metre 21.59 feet |
| Cabin Length: |
37 metre 121.39 feet |
50.68 metre 166.27 feet |
| Exterior Length: |
75.3 metre 247.04 feet |
72.73 metre 238.61 feet |
| Tail Height: | - | 24.27 metre - 79.63 feet |
| Fuselage Diameter: | - |
7.14 metre 23.42 feet |
| Wing Span / Rotor Diameter: |
67.89 metre 222.73 feet |
79.75 metre 261.64 feet |
| Wing Tips: | No Winglets | Wingtip Fences |
| More Info: | Lockheed Martin C5 Galaxy | Airbus A380-800 |
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Data presented is for entertainment purposes and should not be used operationally.
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Other Lockheed Martin C5 Galaxy comparisons:
- Boeing 747 Freighter vs C5 Galaxy
- Lockheed C-5 Galaxy vs Boeing C-17 Globemaster III
- Lockheed C-5 Galaxy vs Antonov An-225 Mriya
- Lockheed C-5 Galaxy vs Lockheed C-130 Hercules
- Lockheed C-5 Galaxy vs Ilyushin Il-76
- Lockheed C-5 Galaxy vs Boeing B-52 Stratofortress
Other Airbus A380-800 comparisons:
About the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy
The Lockheed C5 Galaxy is the United States Air Force’s largest transport aircraft, capable of carrying a maximum payload of nearly 36 master pallets. It is powered by four General Electric CF6-80C2 turbofan engines, each producing over 230 kN thrust.
Why was it developed and built?
The Lockheed C5 Galaxy was developed and built in response to the United States Air Force’s need for a large-capacity, long-range airlift aircraft. It was designed to transport cargo, including tanks and other military vehicles, at high speeds over long distances.
What purpose does it serve?
The Lockheed C5 Galaxy is used for various missions, including airlift support for combat operations. It also serves as a platform for transporting troops, supplies, and equipment. In addition, it is used for airdrop missions and as an aerial refueling platform.
About the Airbus A380
The Airbus A380 is among the world’s largest commercial passenger airplanes. It has a maximum take-off weight of 1,267,645 lbs at 98,000 feet and a wingspan of 261 feet (79.75 m). Regarding engines, it is powered by four Rolls-Royce Trent 900 turbofan engines, each producing over 78,000 pounds of thrust.
Why was it developed and built?
The Airbus A380 was developed and built to meet the increasing demand for air travel and to accommodate large numbers of passengers in a single flight. It was designed to be the most cost-efficient airliner, offering an impressive range of features and amenities, including spacious cabins with seating for up to 850 passengers.
What purpose does it serve?
Since its launch in 2007, the Airbus A380 has been used by airlines worldwide for international passenger travel. It also serves as a freighter aircraft, carrying cargo from one destination to another. In addition, the Airbus A380 can perform long-range missions, such as nonstop flights across the Atlantic or Pacific oceans.
How are the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy and Airbus A380 different?
Despite both being large, jet-powered airliners, they have several distinct differences. Let’s explore the seven major differences between these two giants of aviation!
#1 Size Difference
The first difference between these two planes is their size. The Lockheed C-5 Galaxy is one of the world’s largest military transport aircraft, with a wingspan of 222 feet and a length of 247 feet.
The Airbus A380 is even larger, with a wingspan of 262 feet and a length of 238 feet. This makes it clear that Lockheed C-5 Galaxy is smaller than its rival in wingspan and length.
#2 Cargo Capacity
The second difference between these two planes lies in their cargo capacity.
The Lockheed C-5 Galaxy can carry up to 36 master pallets simultaneously, while the Airbus A380 has an impressive capacity of 185,000 lb. This means the Airbus A380 can transport more than the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy – an impressive feat for such a large plane!
#3 Engines & Power Output
Engine type and power output mark the third difference. The Lockheed C-5 Galaxy has four General Electric TF39 engines which produce 51,000 lbs each.
In contrast, the Airbus A380 has four Rolls-Royce Trent 900 turbofan engines, giving it an impressive 78,000 lbs thrust output! This makes it clear that the Airbus A380 has significantly more power than its rival.
#4 Speed & Range
The top speed of a fully loaded Lockheed C-5 Galaxy is around 532 mph, while its maximum range when carrying a full load is 4,260 km.
On the other hand, an empty Airbus A380 can reach speeds up to Mach 0.89 (945 km/h) while its maximum range when carrying a full load is 14,800 km – making it clear that this plane can go much farther on less fuel!
How are the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy and Airbus A380 Similar?
The Lockheed C-5 Galaxy and Airbus A380 are two of the largest airliners ever built. Famous for their massive size, these planes also share a few more similarities that make them stand out from other aircraft.
- Both can transport huge cargo.
- While fuel efficiency is usually sacrificed to carry such cargo amounts, both rely on powerful engine designs to achieve respectable flight performance.
- Onboard passenger comfort is also quite similar, with cabin noise and pressure levels designed to meet the highest standards in air travel.
- Additionally, their ability to land and take off from very short runways gives them good mission flexibility.
With these features, it’s no wonder why these giants of the sky have remained popular since their inception.
What’s better about the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy?
In large military aircraft, the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy stands out as a leader in its class. This strategic airlifter has been a part of peacekeeping missions and civil support programs since its first flight.
Its design ensures superior performance when hauling heavy cargo faster, further, and at a lower cost than any other aircraft in its airlift class.
The state-of-the-art technology that backs the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy makes it capable enough to carry almost every type of US Air Force cargo, including helicopters, tanks, construction, and medical supplies.
The Lockheed C-5 Galaxy is integral to America’s military arsenal with its distinct size and unsurpassed reliability and safety records.
What’s better about the Airbus A380?
The double-decker Airbus A380 is widely recognized as the most sophisticated and luxurious airplane currently in the air today.
- It boasts a sleek, modern design and unprecedented technological advances that make long-haul flights smoother and more comfortable.
- From an improved air conditioning system to enhanced cabin noise reduction measures, this airplane offers travelers what they need most: comfort and convenience.
- Cabin pressure is held at a constant level throughout the flight, which makes for a shorter recovery time after arrival.
- Passengers are ecstatic over the extra legroom available in Economy class and can appreciate the latest technological amenities.
The Airbus A380 provides a comfortable ride and offers travelers an enjoyable experience – whether it’s luxury or economy class – that will keep them coming back for more.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many differences between the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy and Airbus A380. While both planes are impressive feats of engineering, it’s clear that each one excels in different areas depending on what kind of mission you need them for!
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