Finmeccanica’s Alenia Aermacchi has received an order to deliver two C-27J tactical airlifters for an Air Force on the African continent.
The latest development marks the third order for C-27J from African countries after those of Morocco and Chad.
The new contract also includes a possible delivery of logistic support package.
The C-27J Spartan is a multi-mission aircraft designed to conduct cargo transportation, logistic support of military units, electronic surveillance, fire-fighting and search-and-rescue operations.
Powered by two AE 2100D3 turboshaft engines, the C-27J can fly with a maximum speed of 602km/h and the maximum cruise and stall speed of the aircraft are 583km/h and 194km/h respectively.
Alenia Aermacchi is due to begin the delivery of new aircraft from 2017.
The C-27J tactical airlifters are expected to be deployed for the transport of troops and materials. The aircraft will also be used for homeland security and civil protection.
According to Alenia Aermacchi, the aircraft is currently operating under the most complex condition during many operating cycles in Afghanistan with the air forces of Lithuania, Italy and the US, as well as in the Sub-Sahara with Chad.
To date, a total of 82 aircraft have been ordered by the air forces of Australia, Italy, Greece, Bulgaria, Peru, Lithuania, and Peru, as well as Romania, Mexico Slovakia, and the US.
The company has already delivered 67 C-27Js so far.
In July, Alenia Aermacchi successfully completed first flight-tests of the C-27J battlefield airlifter configuration aircraft with new winglets.
With this new modification, the aircraft will benefit from better hot and high runway performance, increased payload, range and endurance.
Image: The C-27J Airlifter. Photo: courtesy of Finmeccanica SpA.
