AERO Vodochody supplied the 30th centre wing box for C-27J Spartan

The C-27J Spartan tactical military cargo aircraft. (Photo: Alenia Aeronautica)

May 6, 2011defpro.com

AERO Vodochody delivered at a small ceremony the 30th complete center wing box for the C-27J Spartan tactical military cargo aircraft at the presence of the top representatives from the Italian company Alenia Aeronautica.

AERO Vodochody participates in the production of the C-27J Spartan military transport aircraft since 2006 and manufactures the complete center wing box ready for installation on the aircraft. AERO Vodochody is the only manufacturer and supplier of this key construction unit for the aircraft C-27J Spartan.

The C-27J Spartan is tactical military cargo aircraft, featuring great operation flexibility and low operation costs. The aircraft is used for a wide range of missions from cargo transportation to logistic support of military units and airborne unit transportation as well as for special services, e.g. naval and electronic surveillance, search and rescue operations, firefighting, etc. Its military unit transportation version offers transportation capacity of 62 soldiers or 42 paratroopers, while the cargo version can carry a load of up to 11,500 kg, two APCs, three howitzers, a middle-sized helicopter or various cargo on standard pallets.

The C-27J serves the militaries in Italy, Greece, Romania, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Morocco and the USA. In 2007, the C-27J Spartan won a US government tender for the Joint Cargo Aircraft for the US Armed Forces. Under the contract, a total of 38 C-27J Spartans will be delivered to the US Army and US Air Force by the year 2013.