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7 C-27J Tactical Transports to Replace Existing Fleet
WASHINGTON: On Friday, December 1, 2006 Alenia North America's parent company, Alenia Aeronautica, announced the selection of the C-27J by the armed forces of Romania to replace its aging fleet of intratheater transport aircraft. The selection of the C-27J Spartan confirms that it is fast establishing itself as the next-generation tactical transport aircraft of choice for new NATO member countries.
“The selection of the C-27J Spartan by Romania confirms that it is the most capable and flexible aircraft in its class,” said Giuseppe Giordo, president and chief executive officer, Alenia North America, Inc. “The aircraft is an excellent fit for countries that require a truly rugged and military solution for their intra–theater lift fleet. Its unparalleled performance and reliability make it the best value solution.”
Unlike derivatives of commercial aircraft, the C-27J Spartan is a true multifunctional, military aircraft and is the most rugged, versatile, and survivable aircraft in its class. The C-27J Spartan was specifically designed to operate in remote and austere environments and provide the tactical utility necessary to support a wide variety of missions.
The C-27J Spartan has been selected by Italy (12 aircraft), Greece (12), Bulgaria (8), Lithuania (3). The C-27J is also under evaluation in Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, Ireland, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Taiwan and the United States.
The C-27J Spartan is the latest in a long and successful tradition of airlifters, including the C-27A and the G-222, which have been deployed in support of military and humanitarian operations in Albania, Armenia, Bosnia, Cambodia, Congo, Operations Desert Shield and Storm, East Timor, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Honduras, Kosovo, Libya, Mali, Panama, Rwanda, Somalia, Uganda, and Yemen. In addition, the C-27As are still being used successfully in South America in support of counter drug activities. The C-27J has proven capable of performing logistical re-supply, MEDEVAC, troop movement, airdrop operations, humanitarian assistance and missions in support of Homeland Security.
The C-27J JCA Team includes Alenia North America, Inc. (a Finmeccanica company), L-3 Communications Integrated Systems (L-3 IS), a subsidiary of L-3 Communications, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems (NYSE: BA – News), and Global Military Aircraft Systems (GMAS). The team has proposed the C-27J as the best value solution for the JCA program.
Under the terms of the Joint Cargo Aircraft program, over 100 planes will be ordered by the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Army. The new fixed-wing aircraft will be used for intra-theater airlift – eventually replacing the Army's fleet of C-23 Sherpa and C-12 Huron aircraft. The JCA will also ease pressure on truck convoys and helicopters. For the Air Force the new aircraft would assist in battlefield transport missions and serve as a smaller-sized complement to its fleet of C-130 Hercules transporters.
Alenia North America is a wholly owned subsidiary of Alenia Aeronautica. Its mission is to further expand the industrial and commercial presence of the Alenia Group in North America. Alenia North America Inc. is headquartered in Washington, D.C. with offices in Seattle, Washington; Long Beach, California; and Fort Worth, Texas. Alenia North America – Canada, a subsidiary wholly owned by Alenia North America, has offices in Ottawa, Canada. Alenia North America is also a shareholder in several joint venture companies located in the United States. Global Aeronautica, a joint venture with Vought Aircraft Company, located in North Charleston, South Carolina, which performs significant integration and sub assembly work for the Boeing 787 program. Global Military Aircraft Systems (GMAS), a joint venture with L-3 Communications Integrated Systems, is a center of excellence to support the C-27J in North America. GMAS is headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama. Alenia North America has recently announced its intent to establish a new final assembly and production facility for the C-27J at Cecil Field in Jacksonville, Florida. The new facility will be established in partnership with Boeing Integrated Defense Systems.
Alenia Aeronautica, headquartered in Rome, Italy is a company of the Finmeccanica Group. Alenia Aeronautica has revenues in excess of 2.046 billion Euros and a total work force of more 10,500 employees. Its main activities comprise design and production of commercial and military aircraft, design and production of aerostructures for military and civil aircraft and through Alenia Aeronavali, a wholly owned subsidiary, the overall maintenance and modification of military and civil aircraft. Alenia Aeronautica is a partner of and cooperates with the major global aerospace groups, including Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Airbus, EADS, Dassault, BAE Systems and Vought.
