Bulgarian Air Force receives its third C-27J Spartan

[Someoneforyou]

31 march 2011

In addition to Bulgaria, the C-27J has been ordered by the air forces of Italy, Greece, Lithuania, Romania, Morocco (first non-NATO Country) and by the United States.

Alenia Aeronautica, a Finmeccanica company, has delivered today, at "Vrazhdebna" military base of Sofia (in Bulgaria), the final C-27J ordered by the Bulgarian Air Force in 2006, and unveiled a logistics support centre for the aircraft.

The delivery ceremony was attended by Mr. Boyko Borisov, Bulgarian Prime Minister, Mr. Anu Anguelov, Bulgarian Defence Minister, Mr. Giuseppe Cossiga, Italian Defence Undersecretary, Mr. Stefano Benazzo, Italian Ambassador in Bulgaria, Gen. S.A. Maurizio Ludovisi, Deputy-Chief of Staff of the Italian Air Force and Mr. Giuseppe Giordo, Chief Executive Officer of Alenia Aeronautica and Responsible of the Aeronautics sector of Finmeccanica Group.

"The unveiling of this logistics centre is evidence of Alenia Aeronautica's ability and willingness to offer its customers cutting-edge products and services while developing strategic and lasting relationships," said Mr. Giuseppe Giordo.

The Bulgarian Air Force's fleet now includes three C-27J tactical transport aircraft, compliant with the NATO standards and interoperable with heavier airlifters in service with other Atlantic Alliance countries and capable of operating also in the most complex operational scenarios, thanks to its active and passive self-defence systems.

The Bulgarian C-27Js are in fact equipped with self-defence systems that significantly improve the aircraft's capability of operating also in the most difficult operational conditions.

In addition to Bulgaria, the C-27J has been ordered by the air forces of Italy, Greece, Lithuania, Romania, Morocco (first non-NATO Country) and by the US.

The C-27J Spartan, made by Alenia Aeronautica, is a twin-engine turboprop tactical transport aircraft with state-of-the-art technology in avionics, propulsion and systems. It provides high performances, high cost effectiveness, extreme operating flexibility, best performances for an aircraft of its category in all weather conditions and is the only aircraft of its class offering interoperability with heavier airlifters.

Purposefully designed for all tactical transport operations in support of front line troops and thanks to its capability of operating in full autonomy and of taking-off and landing in any weather condition from/on semi-prepared runways (long less than 500 metres), the C-27J proves to be also an ideal aircraft for civil defence and support to humanitarian missions.

Source: Alenia Aeronautica

 

[Someoneforyou]

C-27J SPARTAN: Essential Facts

The C-27J Spartan is the perfect fixed-wing multipurpose cargo aircraft for today's diverse missions. Extremely maneuverable and versatile, the rugged C-27J boasts the highest power-to-weight ratio in its class and the ability to perform 3.0g force maneuvers in the style of fighter aircraft, enabling tight turns and a rapid climb and descent. The C-27J can fly farther, faster and higher than any other twin engine military transport aircraft in its class.

The C-27J features the unique capability to vary cargo floor height and continuously adjust attitude, ensuring easy loading and unloading of large volume, highdensity payloads without ground support equipment and also facilitating drive-in/out of vehicles so that they can be in use immediately.

The C-27J offers significantly more capability than any other aircraft in its class. Its large flight envelope allows it to carry out the most demanding tactical missions quickly, safely and effectively.

The C-27J's structural strength, power and system redundancy provide a high level of safety and an unbeatable mission accomplishment rate. The C-27J has outstanding threat-avoidance capabilities, including a take-off ground run of about 1,900 feet at maximum take-off weight on an unpaved surface. In a tactical environment, the aircraft is capable of climbing to 10,000 ft in 3 minutes, descending from 10,000 ft in under 2.5 minutes, and can handle up to 3.0g forces. At its maximum landing weight, the C-27J has a ground roll of less than 1,115 ft.