The US Air Force (USAF) has awarded a purchase order to CPI Aerostructures to deliver structural assemblies for the C-5B/M aircraft.

CPI Aero president and CEO Edward J Fred said the USAF had ordered more than $45m of C-5 assemblies under the C-5 TOP contract.

“The USAF’s ordering period for the C-5 TOP contract closed in May 2011, with shipments concluding in late 2012,” he added.

Deliveries under the contract are scheduled to begin in mid 2012.

The C-5 Galaxy is a strategic airlifter built by Lockheed Martin. The C-5B, which features upgraded TF-39-GE-1C turbofan engines and updated avionics, is an improved version of the C-5A – the original version of the C-5.