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Notable aircraftLockheed C-5M Super Galaxy

Lockheed C-5M Super Galaxy 87-0027 carries a major modernization forward

The aircraft was reported near Gibraltar, Michigan, on June 1, 2026. The archive carried the callsign RCH1865.

Nearl CrewsObserved Published

Map of Lockheed C-5M Super Galaxy 87-0027's recorded track near Gibraltar, Michigan: 9 positions over 2 minutes, about 15 miles.
Saved positions of Lockheed C-5M Super Galaxy 87-0027 near Gibraltar, Michigan, drawn from a short archived excerpt. The line breaks at gaps over 45 seconds, at source changes and at rejected positions. The path measures about 15 miles (12.8 nautical miles) along the plotted segments. Archive timestamps do not establish exact message freshness. USGS topographic background shows roads, water and place names where available. It is a current reference map, not imagery from the flight date. Map data sources

Super Galaxy 87-0027 appeared in a flight observation near Gibraltar, Michigan, on June 1, 2026. The aircraft database identifies it as a Lockheed C-5M Super Galaxy. Its positions came from MLAT, which estimates position from signal timing, and the archive carried the callsign RCH1865.

The Super Galaxy name marks a substantial modernization of an existing aircraft. The Air Force began its avionics modernization effort in 1998. The underlying C-5 design was built around cargo that would be awkward to fit into an ordinary transport.

About the Lockheed C-5M Super Galaxy

  • The C-5 was designed around cargo that would be awkward to fit into an ordinary transport.
  • The Super Galaxy designation marks a substantial modernization of an existing aircraft.
  • The Air Force began its avionics modernization effort in 1998.

Other Lockheed C-5M Super Galaxy stories

Representative Lockheed C-5M Super Galaxy lifting off from a runway in evening light.
Representative Lockheed C-5M Super Galaxy photo. Image source and license

Recorded data for 87-0027

Observation
Observed to
Event typeUnusual aircraft
Recorded sourceMultilateration (MLAT)
Post date
Last revised
Aircraft
Aircraft typeLockheed C-5M Super Galaxy
Type designatorC5M
Tail number (registration)87-0027
CallsignRCH1865
ICAO addressAE0578

Measurements

Displayed measurements may be rounded.

Saved reading at .
Archived altitude; reference not retained36,000 ft
Last archived label at . Archive labels are carried between saved positions.
CallsignRCH1865
Watchlist association
SourcePlane Alert DB
CategoryCurated aircraft entry
Pinned source version6f7a19044a8dc9ed1c5687c8d26650df7296321e
AttributionAircraft association/category: Plane Alert DB / SDR-Enthusiasts and contributors.
LicencesOpen Database License 1.0; Database Contents License 1.0
ScopeSource association only; not verified current ownership, operator, historical association or presence of any person aboard.
Record details

Public event ID: 98af2860-5c99-49c8-9fec-95a7d9b067cf.

Record revision: 3.

Evidence version: 468e3a99202cc1d99c71caf896af2e0c9c50aafba78b71133e52f25cc5ef885b.

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