C-27J Spartan
The primary roles of the C-27J are cargo transport, troop transport and material and paratroop air drop. Other missions include maritime patrol, tactical operations, medical evacuation, ground refuelling, fire-fighting and aerial spraying. It is made by Global Military Aircraft Systems (GMAS), a joint venture between L-3 Communications and Lockheed Martin Alenia Tactical Transport Systems (LMATTS), which is a joint venture company set up by Lockheed Martin and Finmeccanica subsidiary Alenia Aeronautica.
Extremely maneuverable and versatile, the rugged C-27J boasts highest in its class power-to-weight ratio, and the ability to perform fighter aircraft-like, 3.0g force maneuvers - enabling it to make tight turns, and climb and descend quickly.
The C-27J has been purchased by NATO and coalition countries Italy, Greece and Bulgaria. In addition, Canada is slated to buy 15 C-27Js, Greece 12, Portugal 10, and the Czech Republic 4. Other countries are also reportedly evaluating the aircraft.
The Spartan is the only aircraft in its class that is capable of carrying standard NATO 463L pallets (3.5), up to two uparmoured HMMWVs and heavy, dense loads such as aircraft engines and ammunition. The C-27J can carry over 5,000 lbs more cargo than its competition, has a max cruise speed of 325 ktas, and has significantly better landing and take-off characteristics in any environment than its competition, making it the most capable, low risk, aircraft available to support the warfighter.
Unlike other twin engine cargo aircraft in this class, the C-27J boasts interoperability with both CH/MH-47s and larger, intratheatre lift aircraft such as the C-130s. This interoperability means the C-27J can play an effective and flexible role in supporting the soldiers the last tactical mile. Whether that is flying pre-configured pallets for the Chinooks from one fire base to another, or taking larger, critical loads directly off C-130s directly to the warfighter, the C-27J has the capability to get the job done.
Alenia Aeronautica, is currently promoting C-27J heavily for use in U.S. Army and Air Force Joint Cargo Aircraft Program.
Cargo Capacity
The C-27J offers significantly more capability than any other aircraft in its class. Equipped with floor strength greater than that of a C-130 Hercules, the C-27J has capacity for 3.5 463L standard stateside-configured pallets or 25,000 lbs of bulk cargo equipment.
The C-27J can also carry vehicles comfortably in the rear of the aircraft:
- 2 up-armored, combat ready HMMWVs
- BV-206S Armored All-Terrain Vehicle
- M119A1-105 mm Towed Howitzer
- OH-58 helicopter, or a LAV-V100.
Material Airdrop:
the C-27J Spartan can airdrop up to19,842 lbs of material (CDS bundles, single, two and three platforms (HCU-6/E), LAPES)
Logistics Resupply:
Palletized loads, up-armoured HMMWVs, wheeled equipment, aircraft engines, and small helicopters can be transported by the C-27J. The C-27J Spartan features the unique capability to vary cargo floor height and continuously adjust altitude ensuring easy loading and unloading of large volume, high density payloads without ground support equipment and easy drive in/out of vehicles, enabling immediate operability.
Troop Movement:
The C-27J can transport up to 68 soldiers (military standard seats), plus a load master.
Paratroop Airdropping:
46 paratroops can jump simultaneously out of both side jump doors or use the rear cargo door.
Medevac:
Its capability to operate from extremely short, unprepared runways, and its capacity for up to 36 standard NATO liters and 6 attendants make the C-27J a deployable complement to existing medevac assets.
Humanitarian Assistance and Homeland Security Missions:
With mission modules for maritime and electronic surveillance, search and rescue, firefighting and VIP transport, the C-27J is a truly versatile and capable intra-theater airlifter.
Avionics
The C-27J Spartan has a state-of-the-art suite of standard off-the-shelf military equipment integrated with military standard digital data bus architecture. The avionics represent the most advanced system available in tactical airlifters, and is compatible with emerging Future Air Navigation System (FANS) requirements. The avionics and cockpit were designed with growing capability in mind to satisfy specific customer needs.
The C-27J is equipped with electronic flight instrumentation system (EFIS), incorporating five liquid crystal color multi-functional display units (CMDU) that provide aircraft control, operations and navigation data.
The basic avionics configuration includes:
- Modern Electronic Flight Integration System (EFIS)
- Night Vision Imaging System (NVIS)
- Military based Flight Management Systems (FMS)
- Dual Digital Autopilot/Flight Directors (DA/FD)
- Dual Embedded GPS Inertials (EGI)
- Communication, Navigation, and Identification-Management System (CNI-MS)
- Two Very High Frequency (VHF)/Ultra High Frequency (UHF) radio sets
- Two High Frequency (HF) radio sets
- Low Power Color Radar (LPCR)
- Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR)
- Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR)
- Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT)
Engines
The C-27J is powered by two Rolls-Royce E 2100D2 engines capable of up to 4,637 shp each, and equipped with full authority digital electronic control. The strong propulsion system allows for access to a wide range of airfields, enabling landings on short, unprepared strips, in hot weather and high-altitude conditions - all while transporting heavy loads. With a maximum take-off weight (in a combat scenario) of 67,241 lbs (3.0 g), a cruising ceiling of 30,000 ft and a maximum speed of 325 knots, the C-27J Spartan is guaranteed to get in, get out and get the job done.
A third APU makes the aircraft completely independent from external support, increasing the operational effectiveness in forward deployed areas. In addition, the APU is fully operational in the entire flight envelope, including engine-starting capability up to 22,000 ft.
Fly-away estimates for the C-27J range from USD $20-27.5 million each.
Recent developments (news)
Air Guard readies for C-27J fleet
Posted at: Tue Nov 3rd, 2009
ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) -- For the first time, Air National Guard aircrews will be the sole operators of a new aircraft straight off the assembly line. The C-27J Spartan, the latest propeller-driven airlifter, is an "extremely rugged" aircr...
C-27J Spartan JCA #1 Successfully Completes First Flight in Italy
Posted at: Wed Jun 18th, 2008
Washington - June 17, 2008 - Alenia North America, a subsidiary of Alenia Aeronautica and part of the Finmeccanica Group, announced today that the first C-27J Spartan for the U.S. Army's Joint Cargo Aircraft (...
Alenia delivers the first C-27J to the Bulgarian Air Force
Posted at: Wed Nov 14th, 2007
Alenia Aeronautica, a Finmeccanica company, today delivered the first C-27J tactical transport aircraft to the Bulgarian Air Force. This is the first of five C-27Js ordered in 2006 by the Balkan country.
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