Lockheed C‑5M Super Galaxy compared with Antonov An‑124: size and capabilities

When comparing payload capacities, each aircraft has distinct advantages depending on configuration. The standard C-5M can carry up to 281,000 lbs (127 tonnes), slightly more than a typical An-124’s capacity of about 264,555 lbs (120 tonnes). However, an upgraded An-124 variant can handle up to 330,693 lbs (150 tonnes), surpassing even the Super Galaxy’s capability. According to Antonov Airlines: "Thirty world records have been set on the AN-124, including an absolute payload-to-altitude record when a 171,219-ton payload was lifted to the altitude of 10750 meters." This record translates to roughly 377,473 lbs.

Both aircraft cruise at similar speeds around 450 knots but differ in range depending on their load. At maximum payloads, the Super Galaxy can fly approximately 2,300 nautical miles while an An-124 manages about 2,000 nautical miles. With lighter loads or no cargo (“ferry” flights), ranges increase significantly—up to about 7,600 nautical miles for an empty Ruslan compared with around 7,000 for a Super Galaxy.

Fuel capacity also favors the Russian/Ukrainian design: it carries nearly one-third more fuel than its American rival (467,380 lbs versus about 332,500 lbs). Maximum take-off weights reflect this difference as well; standard An-124s reach up to 886,000 lbs MTOW while enhanced models go as high as nearly one million pounds.

Engine technology marks another distinction between these giants. The C-5M uses General Electric CF6 turbofans—a widely produced engine family found on many commercial jets—while all Ruslans use Progress D‑18T engines built by Motor Sich in Ukraine specifically for these large transports.

In summary—the Antonov An‑124 Ruslan is overall bigger than even modernized versions of America’s largest airlifter except in fuselage length and certain operational parameters like takeoff run distance at maximum weight. Its greater width allows it to transport outsized items not possible with other planes; its total volume exceeds that of its US competitor (35,800 cubic feet vs about 31,000).

While Lockheed once considered building a civilian passenger version capable of carrying up to a thousand people—much more than any existing airliner—it never materialized. No passenger variant exists for either plane today though both serve important roles transporting heavy equipment worldwide—including occasional contracts where US agencies use Ukrainian-operated Ruslans for oversized deliveries such as recent Apache helicopter shipments.