Lockheed C-5 Galaxy vs Antonov An-225 Mriya

Aviation enthusiasts often get in the C5 Galaxy vs Antonov 225 comparison. Both are large military cargo planes but have major differences in capabilities and design features.

Aircraft:	Lockheed Martin C5 Galaxy	Antonov An-225 Mriya
Photo:
Country:	United States	Ukraine
Manufactured:	from: 1970 to: Present	from: 1988 to: Present
ICAO:	-	A225
Price:	$167.7 million	$250 million
Avionics:	Honeywell Defense Avionics Systems	-
Engine:	4 × General Electric TF39	6x ZMKB Progress D-18T turbofans
Engine Type:	-	Turbofan
Power:	43,000 pound-force	51,600 pound-force
Max Cruise Speed:	503 knots 932 Km/h	459 knots 850 Km/h
Approach Speed (Vref):	-	150 knots
Travel Range:	2,400 Nautical Miles 4,445 Kilometers	8,300 Nautical Miles 15,372 Kilometers
Fuel Economy:	0.05 nautical mile / gallon 0.024 kilometres / litre	0.07 nautical mile / gallon 0.034 kilometres / litre
Service Ceiling:	34,000 feet	36,000 feet
Rate of Climb:	-	1900 feet / minute 9.65metre / second
Take Off Distance:	2560 metre 8,398.85 feet	3500 metre 11,482.80 feet
Landing Distance:	1097 metre 3,599.04 feet	3300 metre 10,826.64 feet
Max Take Off Weight:	1,851,852 Kg 4,082,593 lbs	640,000 Kg 1,410,944 lbs
Max Landing Weight:	-	-
Max Payload:	122,472 Kg 270,002 lbs	250,000 Kg 551,150 lbs
Fuel Tank Capacity:	51,150 gallon 193,623 litre	64,000 gallon 242,266 litre
Baggage Volume:	-	1200 m3 42,378 ft3
Seats - Economy:	8 seats	6 seats
Seats - Business Class:	-	-
Seats - First Class:	-	-
Cabin Height:	-	4.4 metre 14.44 feet
Cabin Width:	6 metre 19.68 feet	6.4 metre 21.00 feet
Cabin Length:	37 metre 121.39 feet	45.4 metre 148.95 feet
Exterior Length:	75.3 metre 247.04 feet	84 metre 275.59 feet
Tail Height:	-	18.1 metre - 59.38 feet
Fuselage Diameter:	-	7 metre 22.97 feet
Wing Span / Rotor Diameter:	67.89 metre 222.73 feet	88.4 metre 290.02 feet
Wing Tips:	No Winglets	No Winglets
More Info:	Lockheed Martin C5 Galaxy	Antonov An-225 Mriya
	Data presented is for entertainment purposes and should not be used operationally.

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About the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy

This is a four-engine, turbojet transport aircraft manufactured by Lockheed Martin. It was designed to meet the needs of the US Air Force for a heavy transport aircraft that could take off and land on short runways. It is the largest military transport aircraft ever built in the United States.

Why was it developed and built?

The Lockheed C-5 Galaxy was designed to meet the US Air Force’s requirement for a large strategic airlift aircraft capable of carrying heavy cargo over long distances, with the capability to land on short and unprepared runways. It was developed during the late 1960s and early 1970s and was intended to replace the older C-141 Starlifter.

What purpose does it serve?

The Lockheed C-5 Galaxy primarily transports cargo and personnel long distances. It can also carry out air refueling missions and has been used for medical evacuation and humanitarian relief missions in times of crisis.

About the Antonov An-225 Mriya

The Antonov An-225 Mriya is the world’s largest aircraft designed by Antonov Design Bureau in Ukraine. It is powered by six turbofan engines and is the heaviest aircraft ever built. It was designed to carry the Soviet space shuttle, dubbed Buran, which never flew.

Why was it developed and built?

The Antonov An-225 Mriya was developed in the late 1980s to transport oversized cargo that could not fit on any other aircraft. The Buran space shuttle was too large to fit inside any existing aircraft, so the Antonov An-225 Mriya was designed to be able to carry it.

What purpose does it serve?

The Antonov An-225 Mriya is primarily used for transporting oversized cargo, although it has also been used to move other large items such as military tanks and helicopters. It is also used for air-to-air refueling missions and to evacuate patients during times of crisis.

How are the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy and Antonov An-225 Mriya different?

Both aircraft have impressive carrying capacities, but some key differences make each unique. Let’s take a closer look at what sets them apart.

Cockpit Design

The Lockheed C-5 Galaxy features a traditional cockpit design with two pilots side by side in the front of the plane. The Antonov An-225 Mriya, on the other hand, has only one pilot station located in the center of the aircraft. This allows for more efficient use of space within the cockpit and better visibility for the pilot.

Engines

The Lockheed C-5 Galaxy is powered by four General Electric CF6 turbofan engines that generate up to 56 thousand pounds of thrust each. The Antonov An-225 Mriya is powered by six Ivchenko Progress D-18 turbofan engines that can generate up to 57 thousand pounds of thrust each. These powerful engines give these aircraft impressive carrying capacities and long-range capabilities.

Maximum Takeoff Weight

The maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) for a C-5 Galaxy is just over 840 thousand pounds. In comparison, an Antonov An-225 Mriya has an MTOW of 1 million pounds—making it significantly heavier than its American counterpart. This increased weight gives it a greater payload capacity, making it ideal for transporting heavy cargo long distances.

Speed

The Lockheed C-5 Galaxy has a maximum speed of just over 500 miles per hour. The Antonov An-225 Mriya can reach up to 528 miles per hour, making it one of the fastest cargo aircraft in the world. Overall they both have impressive capabilities, but each aircraft serves a different purpose.

How are the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy and Antonov An-225 Mriya similar?

Not only are they both massive aircraft, but they also have a lot in common. Let’s take a look at some of the similarities between these two impressive planes.

• The first similarity between the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy and Antonov An-225 Mriya is their size. These enormous planes have an impressive wingspan reaching up to 70 meters long!
• Both aircraft boast powerful engines that allow them to travel at high speeds despite their large size.
• Their impressive carrying capacities make them the perfect choice for transporting heavy cargo.

Finally, these aircraft both feature advanced navigation systems that allow them to travel long distances efficiently and safely.

What’s better about the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy?

The Lockheed C-5 Galaxy is an incredibly impressive military transport aircraft lauded for its capabilities and reliability.

• With a maximum loaded weight of 840,000 lbs and a range of over 4,000 miles, the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy is one of the largest and most capable cargo planes.
• It has amazing range and capacity, and the engineers that designed the Lockheed C-5 emphasized maximizing comfort for its passengers.
• The cabin was designed with ample space and improved lighting to create an enjoyable flight experience no matter how long the mission required.
• The advanced servicing features also ensure minimal downtime when maintenance or repairs are needed, making it easy to keep this important aircraft in top shape.

All these features make it clear why pilots fly higher when they take off on a mission with the amazing Lockheed C-5 Galaxy!

What’s better about the Antonov An-225 Mriya?

The Antonov An-225 Mriya is a type of strategic airlift cargo aircraft created by the Soviet Union in the 1980s. Some key features that make it unique include:

• 6 turbofan engines to improve fuel efficiency and a special landing gear system.
• The aircraft is equipped with advanced avionics systems, allowing it to operate in severe weather conditions and fly at higher altitudes than conventional planes.
• What makes it remarkable is its ability to transport goods over greater distances saving time and resources.

No wonder this giant remains one of few transport aircraft today that continue to be used for military and commercial purposes!

Conclusion

The Lockheed C-5 Galaxy and Antonov An-225 Mriya are two impressive examples of aviation engineering that share many similarities but also have some key differences that set them apart.

From their engine sizes to their maximum takeoff weights, both aircraft offer powerful lifting capabilities that make them ideal for transporting large cargo loads over long distances quickly and efficiently.