Lockheed Martin Alenia Tactical Transport Systems' (LMATTS) agile C-27J Spartan II, flown at Farnborough by Alenia chief test pilot Commandatore Evangelisti Gianluca and Agostino Frediani, is making full use of the power margin from its two 4,640 shp Rolls-Royce AE2100-D2 engines and Dowty R391 six-blade composite propellers. Its new flight-control system, including hydraulically-actuated flaps, spoilers and rudder, also contributes to its agility and impressive short-field performance, in a startling display of tactical support capabilities.
With around 17,000 flying hours each, both Alenia pilots graduated from the RAF's famed Empire Test Pilots School (ETPS) at Boscombe Down, and their daily demonstrations are microcosms of tactical transport operations, flown with typical Italian panache. Between short-field take-offs and landings of no more than about 600 yards, intervening maneuvers include a wingover, high-speed pass along the runway, slow flight with minimum radius turns and high-speed tight turns. Then a steep climb and pushover into a Stuka-like dive approach but minimum-speed touchdown.
Developed from Aeritalia's original G.222, of which more than 120 were sold including 10 C-27A Spartan versions to the U.S. government mainly for Central American drug-interdiction and spray-destruction roles, the first C-27J prototype was flown in September 1999, from Alenia's Caselle (Turin) facilities. It was followed in May 2000 by the first production standard C-27J with new avionics systems, now including APN-241 radar and night-vision goggle-compatible five-screen EFIS cockpit, new landing gear, and an APU. A third flight-test aircraft was flown in September 2000, to help complete Italian civil and military certification between June and December 2001.
These led to a June 2002 Italian air force (AMI) launch order for five C-27Js, for 2005 initial delivery, with seven options, taken up late last year, from a €350 million ($430.5 million) contract. The AMI may reportedly buy five more, and in January 2003, was joined by the Hellenic air force with a €220.9 million ($272.72 million) LMATTS contract for 12, plus three options, for its MRTA (medium range tactical aircraft) program. For this, Rolls-Royce will supply 24-30 AE 2100 D2 powerplants from a €48 million ($60 million) contract. As the sole C-27J export customer to date, Greece expects its first aircraft in August, just before the AMI's, due from early 2005 to replace G.222s. Greek C-27Js include four with air-refueling probes and systems.
The rugged ramp-equipped C-27J can undertake a wide range of missions from all types of terrain. LMATTS claims the C-27J is seamlessly interoperable with all C-130s, with which it shares worldwide support. It hasthe same loading system, and capability of carrying standard five tonne 463L HCU-6/E pallets.
Late last year, the C-27J completed a sales tour of Canada and the U.S., the former with particular requirements for 15 replacements for search and rescue C-130s and DHC-5 Buffaloes. The U.S. Army National Guard needs 37 aircraft to replace 43 twin-turboprop Short C-23 Sherpas. Formal C-27J evaluations have also been made by the air forces of Ireland, Portugal, Australia, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and Taiwan.
