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Notable aircraftLockheed C-5M Super Galaxy

C-5M Super Galaxy 87-0029 records a flight in its modernized form

The transport was reported near Plainwell, Michigan, at 39,000 feet, with a recorded ground speed of 543 knots.

Nearl CrewsObserved Published

Map of Lockheed C-5M Super Galaxy 87-0029's recorded track near Plainwell, Michigan: 9 positions over 2 minutes, about 20 miles.
Saved positions of Lockheed C-5M Super Galaxy 87-0029 near Plainwell, 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 20 miles (17 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

A Super Galaxy was recorded at 39,000 feet with a ground speed of 543 knots during a flight on June 22, 2026. Reported positions placed it near Plainwell, Michigan. The aircraft database identifies the transport as Lockheed C-5M Super Galaxy 87-0029.

The Super Galaxy name denotes a substantial modernization of an existing aircraft. The Air Force began its avionics modernization effort in 1998. Underneath that designation is the C-5 design, developed 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.
  • That arrangement can make loading and unloading more flexible than a hold accessible from one end.
  • 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 87-0029

Observation
Observed to
Event typeUnusual aircraft
Recorded sourceADS-B, ICAO address
Post date
Last revised
Aircraft
Aircraft typeLockheed C-5M Super Galaxy
Type designatorC5M
Tail number (registration)87-0029
CallsignFRED52
ICAO addressAE057A

Measurements

Displayed measurements may be rounded.

Saved reading at .
Ground speed543.1 kn
Archived altitude; reference not retained39,000 ft
Last archived label at . Archive labels are carried between saved positions.
CallsignFRED52
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: 6958ae85-79a7-4f3a-af96-e5f92c4a0c0a.

Record revision: 3.

Evidence version: db47851af222f933eedb2304825a961439bccaf708da5238e67d9e43e877c607.

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