C-27J Spartan
It was announced on June 13, 2007, that the U.S. Army and the U.S. Air Force selected the team led by L-3 Communications that also included Alenia North America (a Finmeccanica Company), Boeing Integrated Defense Systems, and Global Military Aircraft Systems (GMAS) to build the Joint Cargo Aircraft (JCA). The award was for a baseline contract estimated at $2.04 billion over the life of the program to supply a minimum of 78 C-27J Joint Cargo Aircraft (JCA) to the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force.
The C-27J Spartan, an upgraded version of the Alenia G.222, was developed by Lockheed Martin Alenia Tactical Transport Systems (LMATTS) -- a US company jointly owned by Lockheed Martin and Alenia. The C-27J has a ferry range that exceeds any competitive aircraft by 1,000nm, for a total ferry range of more than 3,000nm. In weight, it carries 50 percent more than similar aircraft, and can carry a maximum payload 1,000 miles. The aircraft, which is not a modified commuter airliner but a dedicated military transport, is strong enough to perform sustained 3-g maneuvers and can takeoff and land from short, unprepared surfaces in less than 500 meters, even with a maximum takeoff weight of 30,000 kg (66,000 pounds).
Other features of the Spartan, particularly its in-flight-operable auxiliary power unit, fueling, and loadability further help it to operate in austere conditions. Single point fueling and access to the upper surface of the wing facilitates gravity refueling. Loading and unloading can be easily accomplished without ground support equipment and the unique ability to vary floor height and attitude allows gives ground vehicles direct access to the cargo hold.
The C-27J's carrying capacity is unmatched in its class. It has large cargo compartment dimensions 2.25m high, 3.33m wide (more than seven feet high and nearly 11 feet wide) along with high floor strength (4,900kg/m). Jet engines for the F-16, Mirage 2000, Eurofighter and other aircraft such as the C-130 can be transported on their own stands without special equipment. Certain ground vehicles, including the wide HMMWV ("Hummer") can be carried without alteration.
The Spartan can be used to perform paradrop operations easily and safely. It is equipped with two full-size side doors, allowing two paratroops to depart the aircraft every second, lowering the dispersion radius for the soldiers to a far smaller area than other aircraft can offer. Crews can conduct either 5,000kg (11,000 pounds) low-altitude parachute extraction system (LAPES) drops or 5,000kg high-altitude, low-opening paradrops in a single pass.
The Spartan can remain on-station up to nine hours 200nm from its base, an important capability for search and rescue and maritime patrol operations. It can speed to the search area at 310 knots, then cover a large search area with its long endurance. The state-of-the-art APN-241 search radar and the night vision goggle compatible cockpit will help the crew locate small targets at long ranges and give an unmatched accurate, day-night, all-weather material airdrop capability.
Many potential customers in Europe, South America, and Asia are evaluating the aircraft. The Italian Air Force announced on 11 November 1998 its decision to buy 12 C-27J Spartan tactical transport aircraft to replace its fleet of G.222 transports. In doing so, the Aeronautica Militare Italiana (AMI) becomes the first customer to announce its intention to procure the C-27J. C-27J deliveries to the AMI began in 2001 and conclude in 2004, with continued logistics support for the aircraft supplied by LMATTS. The Italian Air Force G.222 fleet will be gradually reduced and retired as the Spartans are introduced to service.
The C-27J Spartan, a twin engine military transporter, represents a new generation military airlifter. Alenia Aeronautics and Lockheed Martin Aeronautical Systems, both world leaders in airlift aviation, have combined resources and capabilities to produce the advanced C-27 J for mission success.
The C-27J is a valuable addition to any nation?s airlifter fleet due to its incredible versatility. It offers the excellent structural and handling characteristics of the Alenia?s C-27A/G222 aircraft, combined with the new C-130J propulsion and avionics system. The airframe of the C27J was conceived and developed from the beginning for the military transport role, with an eye towards mission role expansion and flexibility using palletized mission systems. The baseline C-27J aircraft can perform a basic level of maritime surveillance and search and rescue operations as well as logistics transport. In addition, the C-27J can perform a wide range of additional missions in support of Homeland security including medical evacuation, paratroop missions, firefighting, aerial spraying, etc. The C-27J offers the best performance both in logistic and tactical operations.
The C-27J systems are designed and developed to take maximum advantage of the C-130J development program, particularly in the propulsion and avionics systems. Approximately 30% of avionics and propulsion system LRUs are common between the C- 27J and C-130J. The avionics system architecture design is 100% common.
The first C-27J Spartan series aircraft to be delivered to the Hellenic Air Force, successfully achieved its first flight in Caselle Dec. 15, 2004, after the final integration at Alenia Aeronautica’s plants of Turin-Caselle. After take-off at 10 a.m. from the Alenia Aeronautica’s flight test field, piloted by Commanders Agostino Frediani and Gianluca Evangelisti (also on-board the third test pilot, Commander Mario Mutti), the C-27J has performed some manoeuvres and flight figures for a total of 83 minutes. The success of the first flight of the Hellenic Air Force aircraft enables the Italian company to respect contractual time schedule, which envisages delivery by end of January 2005.
The C-27J, manufactured by Alenia Aeronautica and Lockheed Martin, is the most advanced tactical transport aircraft and has alrfady been ordered by the Italian and Hellenic Air Forces (12 units each). A range of potential American, European and Asian customers have also shown a keen interest in the C-27J. Particularly the C-27J was engaged in a campaign in the USA and Canada. During the demo tour Alenia Aeronautica has shown the aircraft to the institutional representatives, the Armed Forces and the specialised public.
The US have shown a great interest in the C-27J. In fact, the US Army is developing a joint requirement (FCA Program) for the US Army National Guard (replacement of 43 C-23 Sherpa), US Army Fixed Wing, for an initial market size of 37 aircraft. The Army National Guard has indicated the Italian/American aircraft is a possible successor of the C-23 Sherpa, presently used by the National Guard in some 20 States.
The C-27J is an answer to the need of renewing the Search and Rescue airlift fleet (the Buffalos and the C-130s) of the Canadian Government, which could purchase 15 units of the Italian-U.S. airlifter. The aircraft has already been formally evaluated by the Air Forces of Australia, Taiwan, Ireland, Portugal, Bulgaria, Czech Republic and other countries that have recently joined NATO.
On 15 Feb 2005 L-3 Communications and Alenia Aeronautica, the Italian industrial leader in aeronautical productions, announced a joint venture for production and support of the C-27J military transport aircraft. Under the terms of the venture, named Global Military Aircraft Systems (GMAS), L-3 Communications' Integrated Systems subsidiary (L-3 IS) and Alenia North America Inc., a subsidiary of Alenia Aeronautica, will pursue the U.S. Army's Future Cargo Aircraft (FCA) program.
The FCA program is part of the U.S. Army's Aviation Modernization program designated to restructure and revitalize its aviation assets. Currently, the FCA program calls for the procurement of a new fleet of Cargo Fixed Wing aircraft and related logistical support.
Under the agreement, L-3 Integrated Systems and Alenia North America will jointly manage the venture. L-3 IS is a leader in aircraft modernization, systems integration, contractor logistics support, training, and simulation. Alenia is a leader in the design and manufacturing of commercial and military aircraft. GMAS represents the best team with key combined capabilities required for the U.S. Army and the warfighter.
