Aircraft Comparison By

Lockheed C-5 Galaxy vs Ilyushin Il-76

The battle between the C5 Galaxy vs IL 76 is one that has been long debated. Feels like an even match. But that’s not necessarily true. This matchup will be decided largely by tech, experience, and the conditions of any given theater. Let’s jump into more details!

Aircraft: Lockheed Martin C5 Galaxy Ilyushin IL-76
Photo:
Lockheed C-5 Galaxy
Russian Air Force Ilyushin Il 76MD Landing
Country: United States Russia
Manufactured: from: 1970 to: Present from: 1974 to: Present
ICAO: - IL76
Price: $167.7 million $50 million
Avionics: Honeywell Defense Avionics Systems -
Engine: 4 × General Electric TF39 4x Soloviev D-30KP
Engine Type: - Turbofan
Power: 43,000 pound-force 26,500 pound-force
Max Cruise Speed: 503 knots
932 Km/h
490 knots
907 Km/h
Approach Speed (Vref): - 130 knots
Travel Range: 2,400 Nautical Miles
4,445 Kilometers
3,600 Nautical Miles
6,667 Kilometers
Fuel Economy: 0.05 nautical mile / gallon
0.024 kilometres / litre
-
Service Ceiling: 34,000 feet 50,850 feet
Rate of Climb: - 3000 feet / minute
15.24metre / second
Take Off Distance: 2560 metre
8,398.85 feet
1600 metre
5,249.28 feet
Landing Distance: 1097 metre
3,599.04 feet
1000 metre
3,280.80 feet
Max Take Off Weight: 1,851,852 Kg
4,082,593 lbs
170,000 Kg
374,782 lbs
Max Landing Weight: - 152,500 Kg
336,202 lbs
Max Payload: 122,472 Kg
270,002 lbs
47,000 Kg
103,616 lbs
Fuel Tank Capacity: 51,150 gallon
193,623 litre
29,000 gallon
109,777 litre
Baggage Volume: - 230 m3
8,122 ft3
Seats - Economy: 8 seats 5 seats
Seats - Business Class: - -
Seats - First Class: - -
Cabin Height: - 3.4 metre
11.15 feet
Cabin Width: 6 metre
19.68 feet
3.45 metre
11.32 feet
Cabin Length: 37 metre
121.39 feet
24.54 metre
80.51 feet
Exterior Length: 75.3 metre
247.04 feet
46.6 metre
152.89 feet
Tail Height: - 14.76 metre - 48.42 feet
Fuselage Diameter: - 4.8 metre
15.75 feet
Wing Span / Rotor Diameter: 67.89 metre
222.73 feet
50.5 metre
165.68 feet
Wing Tips: No Winglets No Winglets
More Info: Lockheed Martin C5 Galaxy Ilyushin IL-76
Data presented is for entertainment purposes and should not be used operationally.

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About the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy

To put it simply, the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy is an absolute powerhouse. First introduced in 1968, this massive four-engine aircraft has a wingspan of 222 feet and a 247 feet length that’s longer than the length of two basketball courts!

Why was it developed and built?

This aircraft was designed to transport large military payloads ranging from tanks, combat vehicles, and artillery pieces to troops and humanitarian aid. Its enormous size has allowed it to transport up to 36 master pallets of cargo simultaneously across the globe.

What purpose does it serve?

It has also operated numerous famous missions over its lifetime, including delivering personnel and supplies during Desert Storm in the early 90s. With its incredible power and capacity for transportation, the C-5 Galaxy is a feat of modern engineering that continues to receive admiration from aviation enthusiasts everywhere.

About the Ilyushin Il-76

The Ilyushin Il-76 is a four-engine Russian-made cargo aircraft that was first introduced in 1971. It has the same wingspan as the C-5 Galaxy – 222 feet and a slightly shorter length of 146 feet.

Why was it developed and built?

The Il-76 was designed for military and civilian purposes, primarily transporting cargo. It is capable of carrying up to 80 tons of payload at once. Unlike the C-5 Galaxy, it is designed to take off and land on short runways.

What purpose does it serve?

The Il-76 has been used for various missions, ranging from humanitarian aid to airlifting cargo and personnel. Its ability to take off and land on short runways makes it useful for remote or difficult terrain operations. Additionally, its range of up to 5,000 miles allows it to reach further destinations.

How are the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy and Ilyushin Il-76 different?

If you ever need an aircraft, the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy or Ilyushin Il-76 maybe two names you come across. But what is the difference between these two aircraft?

Size & Weight

The Lockheed C-5 Galaxy is much larger and heavier than the Ilyushin Il-76. The former has a maximum takeoff run of 5,400 ft, whereas the latter has a minimum landing run of 1,746 ft with thrust reversers.

Range & Speed

Another important factor to consider when comparing these two planes is their range and speed capabilities. The Lockheed C-5 Galaxy has a maximum range of 5,500 miles, while the Ilyushin Il-76 has a maximum range of 2700 miles. As for speed, the former can travel up to 532 mph, while the latter can reach 560 mph.

Capability & Use

The Lockheed C-5 Galaxy is primarily used to transport large military loads, while the Ilyushin Il-76 can be used for military and civilian purposes. Additionally, the latter can take off and land on short runways, making it more useful for remote or difficult terrain operations.

Service ceiling & Engines

The Lockheed C-5 Galaxy has a service ceiling of 41,000 ft, while the Ilyushin Il-76 has a service ceiling of 43,000 ft. As for engines, the former is equipped with four General Electric CF6-50C2 engines, while four Soloviev D-30KP-2 turbofan engines power the latter.

How are the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy and Ilyushin Il-76 similar?

Despite being from different generations of transport aircraft, the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy and Ilyushin Il-76 have many similarities.

  • They both boast similar weight capacity and range figures, with both designs capable of transporting cargo for thousands of miles without refueling.
  • Additionally, both are used extensively by armed forces worldwide, carrying a wide variety of freight, including vehicles and personnel, over long distances.
  • From their immense cargo bays to their dual-wheel landing gear systems, they represent engineering feats that have allowed enormous payloads to be hauled worldwide in efficient comfort.
  • It is no surprise that these iconic aircraft are still in use today as shining examples of robust design and sheer capacity.

Most excitingly, these two aviation giants demonstrate that size does not always equate to powerlessness; instead, they display how powerful large aircraft can be!

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

The Lockheed C-5 Galaxy is an impressive aircraft that can take huge loads to great distances. It is an intercontinental strategic transport aircraft operated by the US Air Force and Royal Air Force.

The massive cargo transporter can carry nearly every military equipment, and its wingspan measures an incredible 222ft. Perhaps the most thrilling feature is its altitude performance.

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It can reach heights of up to 41,000 ft and has the capabilities of traveling at speeds equivalent to those of a jet airliner, meaning it gets you to your destination faster than expected.

Another advantage is that despite its size, the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy is extremely maneuverable, thanks to advanced avionics systems and powerful engines – making it one of the most reliable aircraft available today!

What’s better about the Ilyushin Il-76?

The Ilyushin Il-76 is a classic beauty of the skies and a legendary aircraft! It has stood the test of time with its performance, range, and capability demonstrating that it is capable of holding its own in modern-day aviation.

Built to have heavy-duty cargo plane capabilities, it also utilized Soviet Union technology advancements, such as an advanced avionics system, making it easier to navigate while still meeting military requirements.

It also has excellent fuel efficiency allowing it to stay aloft longer and cover greater distances. Additionally, its four-engine design further reduces fuel consumption and increases payload capabilities.

All of this makes the Ilyushin Il-76 a powerful aircraft and highly practical and economical – something that every pilot dreams of having!

Conclusion

The Lockheed C-5 Galaxy and Ilyushin Il-76 have unique capabilities, strengths, and weaknesses. Remember that choosing these two aircraft will depend on your needs and preferences.

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About the Author

author photo
Rocco
With a passion for aviation, as well as surfing and scanning the web, Rocco is in his element analyzing aircraft data and the differences and similarities between aircraft.