C-27J

The Alenia C-27J Spartan , is a military Transport aircraft developed in Joint-venture by Alenia Aeronautica and Lockheed Martin.

A remotorisation of the G.222

In 1997 Alenia and Lockheed Martin formed the Lockheed Martin Alenia Tactical Transport Systems ( LMATTS ) to develop a new version of AERITALIA G.222, with avionics and motorization identical to C-130J Hercules, therefore equipped with turbopropellers Rolls-Royce AE 2100. Thus remotorized the plane has a higher operating range of 35% and one higher ceiling of 30% compared to the previous versions. The designation of this apparatus is not an official designation of USAF, to which the partners of Alenia hope to sell this plane, but points out the use of the G.222 by USAF, the J meaning Joint-venture. September 25th, 1999 took place the first flight of a modified G.222, the first C-27J builds origin stealing on May 12th, 2000. Customers of launching, the Italy and the Greece, which bought 12 specimens each one since 2000. Competitor of the CASA CN-235 /C-295 and of the Antonov Year-32, C-27J was evaluated by the armed forces of Saudi Arabia, Australia, Egypt, Israel, Finland, Malaysia, Mexico, Poland, Portugal and Suisse among others. The following countries have or are likely to order C-27J :

Users

Bulgaria : With expressed in 2005 its interest for 8 apparatuses, intended to replace 5 Antonov Year-26, including 2 to deliver into 2006,2 in 2007 and balances it in 2011. A firm control for 5 planes was signed on February 24th, 2006, the first deliveries being awaited for November 2007.
Canada : In January 2007 C-27J seemed to be the only apparatus likely to succeed CC-130 Hercules and CC-115 Buffalo used for research operations and of rescue (SAR). The Canadian order must relate to 15 planes.
the United States: The programme Joint Cargo liner Aircraft ( JCA ) treats 100 average cargo liners having to replace the Shorts C-23 Sherpa of the National guard (37 planes) and various models of Huron C-12 used by USAF and the US Army. Boeing Integrated Defense Systems, Alenia Aeronautica and L-3 Communications created a joint structure, Global Military Aircraft Systems ( GMAS ) to ensure the promotion of C-27J near the Pentagone. A C-27J completed in November 2006 a programme of 26 hours evaluation of flight in competition with the CASA CN-235 /295 proposed by EADS and Raytheon. In the event of order by the Department off Defense, the apparatus would be produced in a new factory to build in Cecil Field, Duval County, Florida. The decision of DoD should be known in March 2007.
Greece : 12 ordered apparatuses (+ 3 options) on February 10th, 2002. The first Greek C.27J c/n 4117 at stolen on December 15th, 2004 and was delivered at the end of 2004 to the 354 Mira Taktikon Metaforon Elefsis. The last one was delivered in August 2006, the Greece being thus the first country to put a service C-27J .
Italy : The order of 12 C-27J (+ 6 options) was confirmed only in December 2002, the deliveries being hoped between 2005 and 2007. The first specimen (c/n 4115) at summer brought into service only on October 24th, 2006 at the 98° Gruppo Transporto Medi of the 46a Brigata Aerea of Pisa, 11 others having to follow until 2008.
Lithuania : 3 apparatuses ordered in 2006 to replace Antonov Year-26. The first specimen was delivered on December 22nd, 2006, the two others are planned for 2008 and 2009.
Romania : 7 C-27J to be delivered from 2008 were ordered in December 2006 to replace the Antonov Year-24 and Year-26. Order cancelled in February 2007.
Slovakia : 4 to 6 C-27J could be ordered in 2007 or 2008.
Turkey : With expressed its interest for 4 or 6 apparatuses.

External bonds

Two useful sites to follow the topicality of the C-27J:

the site of Alenia North America in French (Canadian): http://www.c-27j.ca/index.php?page_id=1&lang_id=2
the site of GMAS in English: http://www.c-27j.com/

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