Country of origin |
Italy / United States |
Entered service |
1999 |
Crew |
2 - 3 men |
Dimensions and weight |
Length |
22.07 m |
Wing span |
28.07
m |
Height |
9.64
m |
Weight (empty) |
17 t |
Weight (maximum take off) |
30.5 t |
Engines and performance |
Engines |
2 x Rolls-Royce AE2100-D2A turboprops |
Engine power |
2 x 4 640 hp |
Maximum speed |
600 km/h |
Cruising speed |
580 km |
Service ceiling |
9.14 km |
Range (max payload) |
4 260 km |
Ferry range |
5 926 km |
Payload |
Maximum payload |
13 t |
Standard payload |
8 t |
Troops |
60 troops or 46 paratroops or 36 stretchers with
6 medical attendants |
Vehicles |
1 x wheeled or tracked vehicle |
Cargo compartment dimensions |
? x 3.33 x 2.6 m |
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The C-27J
Spartan was developed from the previous G.222, which was co-produced
by three Italian companies - Aeritalia, Alenia Aeronautica and Fiat Aviazione.
This military cargo aircraft was widely used by Italian Air Force
and recommended itself well. In 1995 Lockheed Martin and Alenia
Aeronautica signed an agreement to develop an improved version of the
G.222, as improvements were necessary to meet modern requirements.
The main changes were made to engines and electronic systems,
sourced from the
Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules. The C-27J
made its maiden flight in 1999. The new aircraft has 35% increase
in range and 15% faster cruise speed than its predecessor.
Developers claim, that to date it is the only true modern tactical
cargo aircraft in the world. It is used to transport troops, cargo
and performs airdrops and medical evacuation.
Dimensions and
performance of the C-27J is about half of the
C-130 Hercules. The Spartan is capable of carrying a single
tracked vehicle, such as the
ST Kinetics
Bronco,
Hagglunds Bv 206 or
Sisu NA-110.
Main
advantage of the C-27J is a capability to make extreme maneuvers,
what is unusual for this class of aircraft. In 2009 during the
AirPower show, which took place in Australia, this cargo aircraft
performed maneuvers, such as barrel roll, loop, as well as low
passes with minimum speed in landing configuration with an open
ramp, thus simulating an airdrop operation. However the culmination
of this show was a maneuver, in which this plane held 90° vertical
position of the wings for 8 seconds.
Since 2001
the C-27J Spartan participated in the US demo tours is support of
the US Army's future cargo aircraft program. In 2005 Spartan took
part in this program for the third time and during demo tours
performed on cold weather trials, conducted combat offload,
paradrop from ramp and CDS airdrop,
paradrop using side doors, LAPES capability with 2 500 kg, LAPES
capability with 5 000 kg, short field take off and landing
capability, transported various loads and vehicles.
In 2007 the
C-27J became the winner in the US Joint Cargo Aircraft program.
Its competitor was the EADS CASA C-295. The Spartan is due to
replace the existing C-12 Huron, C-26 Metroliner and C-23 Sherpa in
service with the US Army National Guard.
Currently a
gunship version of the C-27J Spartan is being actively discussed due
to the high maneuverability of this aircraft. It should be noted,
that it is the only aircraft in its class, that can reach 3g doing
tight turns, fast climbs and descends. Another important
feature of this aircraft is that it needs only 300 m long runway in
order to land and 500 m to take off with maximum load.
The Spartan
cargo aircraft is in service with Italy, Bulgaria, Greece,
Lithuania, Morocco, Romania (7), Slovakia and the USA. Comparable aircraft are
Antonov An-26, An-32, EADS CASA C-295
and
TRANSALL C-160.
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Article by ZAAL TCHKUASELI
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