Alenia C-27J Spartan

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"C-27 Spartan" redirects here. For the earlier C-27A Spartan, see Aeritalia G.222.
C-27J Spartan
Role Military transport aircraft
National origin Italy
Manufacturer Alenia Aeronautica
Status In production, in service
Primary users Italian Air Force
United States Air Force
Hellenic Air Force
Royal Moroccan Air Force
Number built 52[citation needed]
Unit cost US$53.3 million (2012)[1]
Developed from Aeritalia G.222

The Alenia C-27J Spartan is a medium-sized military transport aircraft. The C-27J is an advanced derivative of Alenia Aeronautica's G.222 (C-27A Spartan in US service), with the engines and systems of the Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules. The aircraft was selected as the Joint Cargo Aircraft (JCA) for the United States military.

The C-27J has also been ordered by the militaries of Italy, Greece, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Mexico, Morocco and Romania.

Contents

[edit] Design and development

In 1995, Alenia and Lockheed Martin began discussions to improve Alenia's G.222 using C-130J's glass cockpit and a more powerful version of the G.222's T64G engine and four-blade propellers. The companies began a program for the improved G.222, named C-27J in 1996. This was a US military type designation based on the G.222's C-27A US designation. Then the design was changed to use the C-130J Super Hercules's Rolls-Royce AE 2100 engine and six-blade propeller. Alenia and Lockheed Martin formed Lockheed Martin Alenia Tactical Transport Systems (LMATTS) for the development of C-27J in 1997.[2] The C-27J has a 35% increase in range and a 15% faster cruise speed than the G.222.[2]

By 2005, the U.S. Army had identified the need to replace its aging C-23 Sherpa lifter. The Sherpa's performance was inadequate in the hot, high terrain of Southwest Asia. In lieu of adequate fixed-wing airlift availability, the Army's CH-47 helicopter fleet was being worked hard to fill the "last tactical mile" transporting supplies to forward located troops. The C-27J as intended by the Army to give "Direct Support" capability, and reduce the stress on their CH-47 fleet.[citation needed]

The LMATTS joint venture was later dissolved when Lockheed Martin chose to offer the C-130J in 2006 as a contender in the same U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force Joint Cargo Aircraft (JCA) competition in which the C-27J was competing.[3] Alenia Aeronautica then paired with L-3 Communications to form the Global Military Aircraft Systems (GMAS) joint venture to market the C-27J.[4] Boeing later joined Alenia and L-3 Communications as a GMAS team member.[5]

A C-27J during ground handling

The GMAS team bid the C-27J in the Joint Cargo Aircraft competition against Raytheon and EADS North America's C-295. Both the U.S. Army and Air Force JCA orders combined are expected to top 100 aircraft. The JCA will eventually replace the existing C-23 Sherpa, C-12 Huron and C-26 Metroliners in the Army National Guard, and will become a substitute tactical airlift platform for those Air National Guard airlift groups or airlift wings losing C-130E/H/J aircraft to retirement (C-130E) or Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) action redistribution of aircraft (C-130H/C-130J).[6][7]

The C-27J had completed the U.S. Department of Defense's Early User Survey evaluations by November 2006, flying 26 hours and surpassing all the JCA program requirements. The GMAS team also announced that the C-27J will be assembled at a facility at Cecil Field, Duval County, Florida.[8] While the final selection of the JCA was expected to be announced in March 2007, the decision came on 13 June 2007, when the Pentagon selected the C-27J as its Joint Cargo Aircraft.[7] A contract worth US$2.04 billion was awarded to the L-3 Communications team for 78 C-27Js along with training and support on 13 June 2007.[9]

On 22 June 2007, Raytheon formally protested the award of the JCA contract to the Alenia C-27J.[10] On 27 September 2007, the GAO announced that it had denied Raytheon’s protest, thereby allowing the Pentagon to go ahead with the C-27J procurement.[11] Prior to Raytheon's protest, the first C-27J aircraft were to begin delivery to the joint US Army-Air Force test and training program in June 2008.[12] The first flight of a US C-27J occurred on 17 June 2008.[13]

A C-27J during "Giornata Azzurra 2007"

Romania ordered seven C-27Js for delivery from 2008 to replace Antonov An-24 and Antonov An-26 aircraft, beating the EADS CASA C-295.[14] However, the order was blocked by the government in February 2007 upon a legal challenge filed by EADS.[15] In June 2007, the order was confirmed again when the Romanian court rejected EADS' complaint.[16] The Romanian government officially signed the contract for the delivery of seven C-27Js on 7 December 2007,[17] with the first two Spartans delivered on 12 April 2010.[18]

Orders stand at Italy (12), Greece (12), Bulgaria (3), Lithuania (3), Morocco (4), Romania (7), Mexico (4) and United States (38) as of 2011.[17][19][20][21]

[edit] Operational history

Italy received its first C-27J in October 2006.[22] The Italian Air Force deployed two C-27Js to Afghanistan from 12 September 2008 to 27 January 2009 in support NATO airlift operations.[23][24]

In March 2011, the Bulgarian Air Force received its last of three C-27Js ordered. Bulgaria had initially ordered five in 2006, but reduced its order in 2010.[25][26][27]

The United States received its first C-27J on 25 September 2008.[28] In September 2008, the C-27J Schoolhouse, operated by L-3 Link, officially began classes at the Georgia Army National Guard Flight Facility, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia. By April 2009, the Army had accepted deliveries of two aircraft and had 11 more on order.[29] A proposal in May 2009 that the US Army/Army National Guard relinquish all of its aircraft to the US Air Force, primarily the Air National Guard, with a reduction of the total buy to 38 aircraft,[30] led the DoD to give total control of the US's C-27Js to the USAF in December.[21] Although the initial plan was for the C-27J to be operated by the Air National Guard for direct support of the United States Army, that changed to both Army National Guard and Air National Guard flight crews to support the fielding of the aircraft. The US Air National Guard had received four C-27Js by July 2010 and began using them for testing and training. Purchase of 38 Spartans is anticipated with initial operational capability expected in October 2010.[31] The US Air Force had planned the C-27J's first combat deployment for summer 2011.[32]

In 2011, several C-27J aircraft were stationed at Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan, flown by the Ohio Air National Guard.[33][34] From August to December 2011, the C-27Js of the 179th Airlift Wing transported some 400 tons of cargo, and over 6,900 passengers in over 900 missions.[35]

The U.S. Army had indicated that a fleet of 54 aircraft posed a moderate risk to mission fulfillment in 2005; the USAF has moved to cancel the program entirely in 2012.[36] On 26 January 2012, the US Department of Defense announced plans to sell off all C-27Js on order as their niche capabilities are no longer required.[37] The C-27J's duties are to be taken by the Air Force's C-130s.[38] In February 2012, Alenia warned that it would not provide support for C-27Js resold by the United States.[39]

[edit] Possible sales

A C-27J in a banked turn

The Royal Australian Air Force has made a Foreign Military Sales request for 10 C-27Js light air lifters valued up to US$950m to replace its retired DHC-4 Caribou fleet.[40][41] One advantage identified by the RAAF over the rival C-295, is the C-27J's wide and taller cabin that allows it to transport the Australian Army's general purpose G-Wagon vehicle.[42]

The C-27J was being considered as a sole-source contract by the Government of Canada as a future replacement for its current search and rescue air fleet; this contract was worth approximately C$3 billion in January 2007.[43]

The Indian Air Force has issued a Request for Information (RFI) for 16 medium military transport aircraft. Alenia Aeronautica responded with information about the C-27J Spartan.[44]

The Peruvian Air Force is in evaluations to replace their Antonov An-32, and the C-27J along with the EADS CASA C-295 are the contenders for the program acquisition.[citation needed]

It was announced on 21 August 2009 that Taiwan had entered price negotiations with Alenia Aeronautica for the sale of six C-27J Spartan aircraft.[45] The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Ghana of four C-27Js on 9 September 2009.[46]

Indonesia is considering the purchase of the C-27J.[47] Slovakia's air force has selected the C-27J and is negotiating an order for at least two aircraft.[48] The Royal Thai Air Force plans to upgrade its 3 G.222s to C-27J standard.[citation needed]

[edit] Variants

[edit] AC-27J Stinger II

The AC-27J was a proposed gunship version of the C-27J. The US Air Force shifted US$32 million from the Pentagon's 2008 budget to purchase a C-27J for the Air Force Special Operations Command, to fulfill the requirements that AFSOC had defined under the AC-XX concept that it envisioned as a replacement for the aging and extensively used AC-130s.[49] The AC-27J was to be equipped using proven hardware and systems to reduce risk.[49][50][51] AFSOC planned to acquire 16 aircraft, the first in fiscal 2011, with two additional gunships to be purchased each year from 2012 to 2015.

The AC-27J was planned as a multi-mission platform, equipped with full-motion video cameras and capable of covert infil/exfil as well as armed support from above, armed with either a 30-millimeter or 40-millimeter gun and the stand-off, precision-guided munitions like the Northrop Grumman-built Viper Strike bomb.[52]

At the Air Force Association's 2008 conference, it was reported that the AC-27J variant would be named "Stinger II" after the AC-119K Stinger.[49][53] C-27A 90-0170 (c/n 4097) was removed from storage at AMARC in October 2008 and delivered to Eglin AFB, Florida, for use by the Air Force Research Laboratory to test the feasibility of mounting of 30 mm and 40 mm guns. The fully assembled airframe was at the Eglin main base by December 2008.[54][dead link]

The gunship program was put on hold in May 2009 because Army funding for 40 C-27s in an Army-Air Force cooperative purchase had been removed from the fiscal 2010 budget.[55] Air Force Special Operations Command will remain with the C-130 for solutions to its stated need for gunships.[56][57]

[edit] Operators

World operators of the C-27J Spartan
 Bulgaria
 Greece
 Italy
Lithuanian Air Force C-27J Spartan
 Lithuania
 Morocco
 Mexico
 Romania
  • Romanian Air Force has 3 C-27Js in service as of January 2012.[58] It ordered seven aircraft with deliveries to completed in 2012.[61]
 United States
For G.222/G222 and C-27A operators, see Aeritalia G.222.

[edit] Specifications (C-27J)

C-27J Spartan with prop vortices condensation at the Paris Air Show.
Italian Air Force C-27J

Data from Alenia Aeronautica,[63] C-27J facts[64]

General characteristics

  • Crew: Minimum two: pilot, co-pilot, (plus loadmaster when needed)
  • Capacity: 60 troops or 46 paratroops or 36 litters with 6 medical personnel
  • Payload: 11,500 kg (25,353 lb)
  • Length: 22.7 m (74 ft 6 in)
  • Wingspan: 28.7 m (94 ft 2 in)
  • Height: 9.64 m (31 ft 8 in)
  • Wing area: 82 m2 (880 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 17,000 kg (37,479 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 30,500 kg (67,241 lb)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Rolls-Royce AE2100-D2A turboprop, 3,460 kW (4,640 hp) each
  • Propellers: 6-bladed Dowty Propeller 391/6-132-F/10, 4.15 m (13 ft 7 in) diameter

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 602 km/h (374 mph; 325 kn)
  • Cruising speed: 583 km/h (362 mph; 315 kn)
  • Minimum control speed: 194 km/h; 121 mph (105 kn)
  • Range: 1,852 km (1,151 mi; 1,000 nmi) with 10,000 kilograms (22,000 lb) payload
  • Range at 6,000 kg payload: 4,260 km (2,650 mi; 2,300 nmi)
  • Ferry range: 5,926 km (3,682 mi; 3,200 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 9,144 m (30,000 ft)

[edit] See also

Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

[edit] References

Notes
  1. ^ "Alenia C-27J." Aeroweb, Retrieved: 13 February 2012.
  2. ^ a b Frawley, Gerald. "LMATTS C-27J Spartan". The International Directory of Military Aircraft, 2002/2003. Fishwyck, ACT: Aerospace Publications, 2002. ISBN 1-875671-55-2.
  3. ^ Fulghum, David and Andy Nativi. "LM To Join JCA Competition With Four-Engine Offering." Aviation Week, 1 May 2006.
  4. ^ "C-27J Team." "C-27J Spartan. Retrieved: 11 June 2011.
  5. ^ Boeing Jumps on JCA Competition. Air Force magazine, 2 May 2006.
  6. ^ "C-27J successfully completes Army, Air Force early user survey", Aerotech News and Review, 1 December 2006.
  7. ^ a b c d Putrich, Gayle S. "C-27J tapped for Joint Cargo Aircraft." Air Force Times, 13 June 2007.
  8. ^ "New Cargo Planes To Be Built in Cecil Field." firstcoastnews.com, 14 June 2007.
  9. ^ Gettle, Master Sgt. Mitch. "C-27J Spartan named as Joint Cargo Aircraft." Air Force Public Affairs, 14 June 2007.
  10. ^ "Raytheon details dispute over $2B deal." Associated Press, 27 June 2007.
  11. ^ Tiron, Roxanna. "GAO denies protest over Joint Cargo Aircraft contract", TheHill.com, 27 September 2007.
  12. ^ Bryant, Jordan and Tom Kington. "Joint Cargo Aircraft delivery starts in a year." Army Times, 21 June 2007.
  13. ^ Trimble, Stephen. "First C-27J for JCA contract makes first flight." Flightglobal.com, 17 June 2008.
  14. ^ "Spartan Order." Aviation Week & Space Technology. 11 December 2006.
  15. ^ "EADS appeal suspends Romanian C-27J order" Flight International, 13 February 2007.
  16. ^ "Romania Unblocks C-27J Selection"[dead link]
  17. ^ a b "Romania Signs Deal for 7 C-27Js." Retrieved: 31 December 2011.
  18. ^ "Romania accepts first C-27J Spartans". Flightglobal.com, 12 April 2010.
  19. ^ "Bulgaria Changes Its Order for up to 8 C-27J 'Baby Hercs'." defesneindustrydaily, 18 December 2010.
  20. ^ "Alenia Aeronautica Signs Contract Worth 130 Million Euro to Supply Four C-27Js to Morocco."[dead link]
  21. ^ a b c Brannen, Kate. "U.S. Senators Back Purchase Of More C-27s." Defense News, 8 July 2010.
  22. ^ Wastnage, Justin. "Italy takes delivery of first of 12 C-27J Spartans developed by Alenia with Lockheed Martin." Flightglobal.com, 26 October 2006.
  23. ^ Peruzzi, Luca. "Italian air force deploys C-27J Spartans to Afghanistan." Flight International, 19 September 2008.
  24. ^ Nativi, Andy. "Italian C-27Js Complete Afghanistan Ops." Aviation Week, 30 January 2009.
  25. ^ "Alenia Aeronautica delivers the first C-27J to the Bulgarian Air Force." Alenia Aeronautica, 13 November 2007.
  26. ^ Hoyle, Craig. "Bulgaria receives its last C-27J transport." FlightGlobal.com, 31 March 2011.
  27. ^ Lief, Nick. "Bulgarian Air Force receives its third Spartan C-27J." Sofia Echo, 31 March 2011.
  28. ^ "L-3 Presents First Joint Cargo Aircraft to U.S. Army and Air Force." L3 Communications, 25 September 2008.
  29. ^ a b Trimble, Stephen. "Army orders for the C27J." flightglobal.com, 22 March 2009.
  30. ^ Tiron, Roxana. "Lawmakers press Gates to keep program."[dead link]
  31. ^ Scully, Megan. "The Little Airlifter That Could." Air Force magazine, Volume 93, July 2010. Retrieved: 28 July 2010.
  32. ^ McCullough, Amy. "Spartan Deployment Delayed." Air Force magazine, 31 March 2011.
  33. ^ Hook, Senior Airman Corey. "A C-27 sits at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan." air-attack.com, 2011. Retrieved: 31 December 2011.
  34. ^ "C-27 makes 1st Combat Air Drop." militarytimes.com. Retrieved: 31 December 2011.
  35. ^ Weisgerber, Marcus. "C-27J battle splits Air Force, Guard." Air Force Times, 5 December 2011.
  36. ^ Butler, Amy. "USAF, Army Still Squabbling Over C-27J." Aviation Week, 26 January 2012.
  37. ^ "Defense Budget Priorities and Choices, p. 8" US Department of Defense, January 2012. Retrieved: 28 January 2012.
  38. ^ Majumdar, Dave. "SecAF: Service now favors multirole aircraft." AirForce Times, 2 February 2012.
  39. ^ Muradian, Vago. "Alenia Warns U.S. Over C-27J Sales." Defense News. 27 February 2012.
  40. ^ "Australia – C-27J Aircraft and Related Support (News release)." Defense Security Cooperation Agency, 19 December 2011. Retrieved: 20 December 2011.
  41. ^ Jones, Brent. "U.S. approves military plane sales to Australia." USA Today, 21 December 2011. Retrieved: 23 December 2011.
  42. ^ Francis, Leithen. "RAAF Wants C-27J Rather Than C295."Aviation Week, 9 December 2011. Retrieved: 20 December 2011.
  43. ^ "DND to look at single bid for search planes: report." CBC News, 3 January 2007.
  44. ^ "IAF issues RFI for C 27J Spartan." indiastrategic.in, 2010. Retrieved: 11 June 2011.
  45. ^ Govindasamy, Siva. "Taiwan moves on purchase of C-27J Spartans." Flightglobal.com, 21 August 2009.
  46. ^ "DSCA notification of possible sale to Ghana." DSCA, 9 September 2009.
  47. ^ Firdaus, Hashim. "Indonesia eyes C-27J Spartans." FlightGlobal, 22 March 2011.
  48. ^ "Slovak government confirmed purchase of Spartan." SME, 19 December 2008. (english translation)
  49. ^ a b c Schanz, Marc V. "Filling the Gunship Gap." Air Force magazine, 18 August 2008.
  50. ^ Butler, Amy. "DOD eyes one C-27J for conversion to SOF Gunship Lite." Aviation Week, 25 July 2008.
  51. ^ AC-XX Gunship Lite Prototype: A C-27J “Baby Spooky.” Defenseindustrydaily.com.
  52. ^ Weisgerber, Marcus. "AFSOC gets ok to buy 16 AC-27 gunships". InsideDefense, 17 October 2008.
  53. ^ Trimble, Stephen. "AFA-08: AC-27J Stinger II name revealed." Flight Global blog. September 2008.
  54. ^ http://home.att.net/~jbaugher/1990.html
  55. ^ LaGrone, Sam. "AFSOC plan for C-27s takes nosedive." Air Force Times, 4 May 2009.
  56. ^ LaGrone, Sam. "AFSOC fills gunship gap with C-130s." Air Force Times, 14 May 2009.
  57. ^ Kreisher, Otto. "Gunship Worries." Air Force magazine, July 2009.
  58. ^ a b c d e f g h "World Military Aircraft Inventory". 2012 Aerospace. Aviation Week and Space Technology, January 2012.
  59. ^ Thisdell, Dan. "Lithuania gets third Spartan ready for Afghan mission." Flight International, 19 October 2009.
  60. ^ Hoyle, Craig. "Mexican air force to get four C-27J transports". Flightglobal. 6 July 2011. Retrieved 7 July 2011.
  61. ^ Romania's First C-27J prepares for delivery, Air Forces Monthly magazine, September 2009 issue, p. 13.
  62. ^ Carey, Bill. "C-27J Chopped in U.S. Budget Cuts". AIN online, 2 February 2012.
  63. ^ Alenia Aeronautica official site
  64. ^ "C-27J essential facts." C-27j.com. Retrieved: 11 June 2011.
Bibliography
  • Eden, Paul, ed. "Alenia G222 and C-27, Mini-Hercules". Encyclopedia of Modern Military Aircraft. London: Amber Books, 2004. ISBN 1-904687-84-9.

[edit] External links

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