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6 novembre 2013 3 06 /11 /novembre /2013 13:50
Drone : un nouveau projet européen sur la table

Le projet de drone de renseignements de future génération s'inspirerait du programme Talarion, abandonné il y a deux ans. - Photo EADS/Cassidian

 

05/11 par Alain RUELLO – LesEchos.fr

 

EADS, Finmeccanica et Dassault ont dévoilé leur projet de drones à la DGA.

 

Quatre mois après leur communiqué du Bourget, EADS, Dassault et Alenia (Finmeccanica) ont dévoilé leur projet de drone de renseignements de future génération à la DGA, a-t-on appris de sources concordantes. La réunion a eu lieu le 18 octobre dernier. Elle s'est tenue en présence de Bernhard Gerwert, Eric Trappier et Giuseppe Giordo - les PDG respectifs des trois industriels - venus en personne tenter de convaincre Laurent Collet-Billon, le délégué général pour l'armement du bien-fondé de leur démarche. Et quelle démarche, puisqu'il s'agit de ressusciter le projet franco-allemand Talarion, celui-là même que Dassault n'a eu de cesse de torpiller avant que Paris puis Berlin ne l'enterrent il y a deux ans.

 

Humiliés par la décision de Jean-Yves Le Drian d'acheter 12 Reaper à l'américain General Atomics, EADS, Dassault et Finmeccanica ont formé une sainte alliance au Bourget dans les drones Male (moyenne altitude longue endurance). Pourtant, si le ministre de la Défense français a été contraint de se fournir outre-Atlantique, c'est bien parce que les industriels concernés et leurs Etats respectifs ont été incapables - après vingt ans d'atermoiements et beaucoup d'argent dépensé - de bâtir une filière industrielle européenne autonome.

 

Qu'est-il ressorti de la réunion du 18 ? Dans les grandes lignes, les trois industriels repartent du projet Talarion, toiletté de ses défauts les plus criants, doté de capteurs plus performants, et avec la possibilité de l'armer. Sa mise au point coûterait 1 milliard d'euros. La répartition serait la suivante : la plate-forme pour EADS, le système pour Dassault et les équipements pour Alenia. L'identité du leader n'a pas été dévoilée lors de la réunion. Mais il se murmure que c'est à EADS qu'échoirait le rôle, avec l'assentiment de Dassault.

 

Contractant unique

 

Point important : MM. Gerwert, Trappier et Giordo ont lié leur engagement à la condition non négociable qu'un des trois pays potentiellement intéressés - Allemagne, France et Italie - assume le rôle de contractant unique, pour éviter les déboires de la plupart des projets européens d'armement.

 

Pour la petite histoire, les trois impétrants avaient baptisé leur bébé « FeMale » pour Future European Male, mais se sont vite ravisés, craignant que l'acronyme ne leur vaille quelques railleries… Ils se sont rabattus sur un plus classique Male 2020, histoire de fixer un cap. Précisément, si une étude de faisabilité démarre en 2014, EADS, Dassault et Alenia s'engagent à livrer l'appareil en 2022.

 

C'est là tout le problème. Faute d'argent et - pour l'instant du moins - de volonté politique affirmée de Paris, Berlin et Rome, rien n'est prévu pour démarrer cette étude, incontournable pour vérifier que Male 2020 tient la route. Si la France achète comme prévu ses 12 Reaper, ceux-ci voleront jusqu'en 2025 au moins. Si Male 2020 voit le jour, ce ne sera donc pas demain.

 

D'autant que, avant de donner le top départ du projet, il faudra aussi que les armées de l'air française et allemande se mettent d'accord sur un besoin commun (la France ne se lancera jamais seule dans l'aventure). Il faudra aussi démontrer que l'heure de vol de ce drone européen ne sera pas beaucoup plus chère que celle des Reaper. L'autonomie industrielle européenne oui, mais pas à n'importe quel prix ! La DGA n'a d'ailleurs pas manqué de le rappeler à ses visiteurs le 18 octobre…

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9 janvier 2013 3 09 /01 /janvier /2013 12:35

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/77/DF-ST-98-01305.JPEG/800px-DF-ST-98-01305.JPEG

 

January 5, 2013 defense-update.com

 

U.S. Air Force officials have decided not to renew a contract with Italian aircraft manufacturer Alenia North America to support and induct the small, Italian-made C-27A transport aircraft into the Afghan Air Force. This is the second U.S. blow aimed at the Italian aircraft manufacturer, after the termination of acquisition of C-27J Spartan by the US Air Force. According to the Air Force, Alenia failed to generate a sufficient number of operational aircraft for effective Afghan Air Force airlift capability. Aviation Week reports.

 

In 2008, the U.S. paid $314 million for the purchase of 20 former Italian Air Force G.222s — designated the C-27A by the Air Force — to give to the fledging Afghan National Army Air Corps, later the Afghan Air Force, an independent tactical transport capability to replace Soviet-era Antonov An-32s.

 

However, their introduction to service has been far from smooth. Only 16 of the aircraft have been delivered to Afghanistan, with four remaining in Italy. Despite a deployed team of contractors, the aircraft struggled with serviceability issues and have been grounded twice — once in December 2011 on airworthiness grounds, and again in March 2012 because of safety issues that delayed the training of Afghan personnel.

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21 décembre 2012 5 21 /12 /décembre /2012 12:45

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lDP2SeKXhvU/UNElKewM6cI/AAAAAAAAVzk/zLinapcceK0/s1600/Fusoliera_C-27j.JPG

 

20 December 2012 Pacific Sentinel

 

 

The fuselage of the first C-27J for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has arrived at the Alenia Aermacchi Turin plant for final assembly.
 
 
Manufactured at Alenia Aermacchi’s Capodichino Naples site, the fuselage, reached Turin both by truck (from Capodichino to the Port of Naples and from Genoa to Turin) and sea freight (from Naples to Genoa).
 
 
The Australian order for 10 aircraft was placed through the US Foreign Military Sales Joint Cargo Aircraft program last May.
 
 
C-27J Spartan (File Photo)
The first C-27J will arrive in Australia in early 2015, and will be used for tactical airlift. They will replace the piston-engine Caribou, which were retired in 2009 after 45 years of service.
 
 
In the tactical transport role, the C-27J provides the best possible integration with the existing Australian Defence Force fleet. It will provide an airlift capability between the CH-47 Chinook and C-130J Hercules, as well as integrating with the much larger C-17A Globemaster.​ 
 
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5 septembre 2012 3 05 /09 /septembre /2012 17:20

C-27J – photo1 Alenia Aermacchi

 

September 5, 2012. David Pugliese Defence Watch

 

This press release is from Alenia:

 

 Halifax, Nova Scotia, September 5, 2012 – Alenia Aermacchi, Alenia Aermacchi North America and its Canadian partners, General Dynamics Canada, Provincial Aerospace and DRS Canada are pleased to announce that their C-27J Fixed Wing Search and Rescue (FWSAR) configuration will include a Canadian mission system.  By partnering with well-established Canadian companies and committing to a Canadian mission system, Alenia Aermacchi resolves to make the C-27J Spartan the most suitable search and rescue platform available for Canada’s FWSAR mission.  The C-27J team will develop a SAR platform focused on Canada’s requirements, including the mission system, which will be designed and integrated in Canada, delivering economic impact and efficiency.  Furthermore, Alenia will work closely with the Canadian government, Canadian partners and vendors to assure the necessary technology transfer so Canadian firms have the technological capability to support the C-27J FWSAR solution in Canada, for the life of the program. Completing this work in Canada maximizes Canadian participation in the program and creates opportunities for Canadian industry to market similar solutions around the world.

 

The mission system, which includes high tech sensors and the computers that manage them, will greatly increase search and rescue crews’ ability to detect Canadians in need, such as mariners in life rafts or lost hikers in the mountains.

 

“The mission system will add significant search capability to the C-27J. Five years from now, we’ll wonder how we ever managed search and rescue missions without it,” said David Ibbetson, General Manager of General Dynamics Canada. “Eastern Canadian companies are a strong part of the C-27J team.  The program represents a great opportunity for Eastern Canada and our country as a whole; announcing our plans to missionize the aircraft in Canada, while here at DEFSEC, seems appropriate.”

 

In May, Alenia Aermacchi, Alenia Aermacchi North America, General Dynamics Canada, Provincial Aerospace and DRS Canada signed a Letter of Intent to partner on a proposal for a Canadian FWSAR solution.  Since that time the team has been working to develop the best path forward. In addition to its decision to missionize the C-27J in Canada, the team looks forward to the time when it can announce new teaming decisions and its plans to drive superior economic benefits to all parts of Canada, coast-to-coast- to-coast.

 

“After visiting our partners’ facilities in Ottawa, ON, Halifax, NS and St. John’s, NL, I am more confident than ever that the C-27J team is capable of producing a search and rescue platform that Canadians can be proud of – a platform that is not only tailored for Canada, leveraging world class Canadian technology, but one that helps build the Canadian economy through continued investment in technology, infrastructure and workforce,” said Alan Calegari, President and Chief Executive Officer of Alenia Aermacchi North America.

 

The C-27J Spartan is the most capable, cost effective, and uncompromising search and rescue aircraft available today. The C-27J is a twin-engine turboprop tactical transport aircraft with state-of-the-art technology in avionics, propulsion and systems, resulting in a high performance, cost effective and extremely flexible aircraft. The aircraft can operate in the harshest environments and over vast terrain and can provide the speed necessary to reach those in need, when time is short. The C-27J is a perfect fit for Canada’s FWSAR needs.

“Provincial Aerospace has been performing airborne surveillance missions in Canada for more than 30 years, flying over 150,000 hours and completing 25,000 incident-free missions,” said Mr. Keith Stoodley, Senior Vice President of Business Development at Provincial Aerospace. “We are intimately familiar with the demands of Canada’s oceans, arctic areas, and rugged terrain and we are confident that the C-27J Spartan is the best suited aircraft for Canada’s SAR needs. No other company in the world has the operational experience that we bring to the table and when combined with the team’s missionization experience, the FWSAR procurement process presents exceptional domestic and international opportunities for Canadian industry.”

 

As the program evolves, the C-27J team believes Canada’s approach to FWSAR is appropriate and practical. For example, when it comes to having a single point of accountability, the C-27J team is committed to having one entity responsible for all program performance, with others, including Canadian defence and aerospace companies responsible for fully supporting the aircraft for the life of the program. The C-27J team looks forward to the release of the draft Request for Proposal and the continued advancement of the project.

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11 juillet 2012 3 11 /07 /juillet /2012 16:50
Alenia unveils new MC-27J Spartan at Farnborough 2012

MC-27J aircraft

 

11 July 2012 airforce-technology.com

 

Alenia Aermacchi has unveiled a new, armed version of its combat-proven C-27J Spartan battlefield airlifter, at the ongoing 2012 Farnborough International Air Show, in the UK.

 

The newly launched MC-27J airlifter, a roll on/roll off (RO/RO) variant of the C-27J, is designed to assist air and special forces in conducting anti-terrorism operations and evacuation of military personnel and civil populations.

 

Capable of taking off from and landing on short and/or unprepared strips, the aircraft primarily supports all standard special forces' operations by serving as a platform with quick transfer speed, long operational range and enhanced cargo capacity for the operators, troops and vehicles.

 

The gunship variant is equipped with the ATK-developed GAU-23 30mm precision weapon kit, which can be employed to fire all types of Nato 30mm x 173 rounds, as well as Super 40 ammunition.

 

Additional features include a self-contained, modular and scalable palletised weapons system comprising of enhanced electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) targeting sensors, precision guided munitions, advanced communications, a networked mission management and a fire control system, to support a wide range of customer-driven missions.

 

Designed for easy embarkation and disembarkation through the aircraft's rear ramp, the palletised system permits flexibility in the use of the unaltered aircraft, significantly lowering acquisition costs and development times.

 

The aircraft is also integrated with a ground command network, to provide the personnel with an intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capability, apart from the ability to deploy paratroopers in the battlefield.

 

To be jointly developed and marketed by Alenia and ATK, the MC-27J features a high level of commonality with the C-130J, together with an operational flexibility to enable deployment even in hot and challenging environmental conditions.

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9 juillet 2012 1 09 /07 /juillet /2012 17:15
Alenia Transforms C-27J Into Gunship

 

July 9, 2012. David Pugliese Defence Watch

 

Press release from Alenia:

 

Alenia Aermacchi is pleased to introduce a new version of the C-27J battlefield airlifter, the MC-27J. The MC-27J is a multi-mission, armed, Roll On/Roll Off (RO/RO) derivative of the C-27J Spartan. Alenia Aermacchi and ATK will jointly produce and market this new offering.

 

The new MC-27J is an adaptable, agile, and affordable solution for various airborne multi-mission requirements that today are performed by a wide variety of aircraft, including special operations versions of the C-130. The MC-27J is not just a gunship, but a battlefield tested platform equipped with proven sensors, communications, and weapons suite able to execute a wide range of customer-driven missions.

 

The MC-27J is designed to support air forces and Special Forces in performing several key operations, including: anti-terrorism missions, the evacuation of military personnel and civil populations from crisis areas, fighting asymmetrical threats and for all standard operations of the Special Forces. The MC-27J provides Special Forces a platform with quick transfer speed; long operational range and ample cargo capacity (console for the systems’ operators, troops and vehicles).

 

The MC-27J is capable of taking off from and landing on short and/or unprepared strips while acting as an autonomous command and control centre integrated with the ground command network. The MC-27J will also provide Intelligence Surveillance & Reconnaissance (ISR) capability as well as the ability to deploy paratroopers. Furthermore, the MC-27J’s target designation and on-board weapons systems provide outstanding support for ground operations.

 

ATK’s gunship capability is provided from a newly developed palletized weapons system, which is self-contained, modular, scalable and provides RO/RO flexibility. This palletized system integrates sensors, communications and weapons into a responsive and reconfigurable mission package. Specific features for the MC-27J system include enhanced electro-optical/infrared targeting sensors, a trainable 30mm cannon, precision guided munitions, advanced communications and a networked mission management and fire control system.

 

The MC-27J provides outstanding offensive capability utilizing a palletized weapon system specifically designed for the ATK 30mm GAU-23 cannon and other precision guided weapon systems, resulting in a highly effective system that minimizes collateral damages. The palletized system is designed for easy embarkation and disembarkation via the aircraft’s rear ramp; permitting flexibility in the use of the unaltered aircraft. The primary configuration requires minimal integration on the aircraft’s frame to significantly reduce acquisition costs and development times, while retaining the C-27J’s robust airlift capabilities.

 

At the core of the MC-27J is the C-27J Spartan, the best-selling battlefield airlifter, offering payload, persistence and out-of-area capabilities coupled with high performance; high maneuverability and the capability to operate on short, unpaved strips. The Spartan is currently the world’s best seller in the tactical airlifter’s category with 89 airplanes ordered by 9 countries all over the world including Italy, United States and recently, Australia.

 

The MC-27J offer commonality of equipments and systems with larger multi-mission platforms but at much lower operational costs and with the operational flexibility of being able to operate form shorter runways also in hot and high conditions, and as modern and reliable solution for those air forces interested in integrating their forces with a skilled airplane in a very delicate role but at the same time very flexible in its use.

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6 juillet 2012 5 06 /07 /juillet /2012 16:40
C-27J Spartan Refuels from KC-767A Tanker

 

July 6, 2012 defense-aerospace.com

(Source: Alenia Aermacchi; issued July 5, 2012)

 

C-27J: Positive Tests for the Fight-Refueling with the KC-767A Tanker

 

TURIN, Italy --- The C-27J is carrying out flight-refueling tests with the KC-767A tanker at the Italian Air Force Base in Pratica di Mare with the collaboration of the 14th Stormo of the Italian Air Force, Alenia Aermacchi, Rolls Royce and Dowty, the latter two responsible respectively for the engines and propellers of the aircraft.

 

After a series of ground test that did not present any complications, the flight test conducted had the C-27J perform a series of contacts with the KC-767 at various altitudes between 10.000 and 20.000 ft. and speeds up to and near 220 kts, including night flight-refueling with the aid of Night Vision Goggles; in turning pattern, in turbulence and during an emergency decent.

 

The preliminary results highlighted the exceptional flying quality of the C-27J, in both the day and night contacts. The test confirmed the high capability of fuel transfer (up to 2800 liters\min) predicted in the planning phase, allowing for a complete replenishment of the tanks in only 5 minutes.

 

Also confirmed during these test was the superior quality of the C-27J as an aircraft receiver also in conditions of slipstream turbulence generated by the tanker.

 

An aircraft piloted by Alenia Aermacchi test pilots was used for these tests, modified with the integration of a complex instrumentation dedicated to controlling the engine parameters, propellers, transfer of fuel and flight controls, in order to meet the requirements requested by the military certification.

 

The objective of these tests was to achieve the certification of the flight-refueling system, that so far has been adopted on the 12 C-27Js in service in Italy and on one of the three units in service with the Lithuanian Air Force.

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6 juin 2012 3 06 /06 /juin /2012 17:00

C-27J – photo1 Alenia Aermacchi

 

Jun. 6, 2012 by Greg Waldron – FG

 

Singapore - Australia has entered a A$63 million ($61 million) contract with Italy's Alenia Aermacchi related to the sustainment of its future fleet of 10 L-3/Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft.

 

"A contract has been signed with Alenia Aermacchi that will allow for the long term operation, maintenance, modification and upgrade of the C-27J aircraft and support systems," Australia's Department of Defence (DoD) said in a statement.

 

"The contract will also provide Defence with the ability to compete and sub-license third parties, including Australian industry, to provide the maintenance services, training services and the ability to modify the C-27J capability."

 

A DoD spokesperson told Flightglobal that the contract covers "technical data and intellectual property support not available from any other source."

 

"[The contract] will assure Defence's ability to independently establish and maintain airworthiness certification, life of type sustainment, future modifications that may be required, and cost-effective through life management of the aircraft and its support systems," the spokesperson said.

 

In early May Canberra, confirmed it will obtain 10 C-27Js for A$1.4 billion through the US foreign military sales (FMS) mechanism, with US firm L-3 Communications designated as the prime contractor

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5 juin 2012 2 05 /06 /juin /2012 11:30
photo Alenia Aermacchi

photo Alenia Aermacchi

 
 
04.06.2012 DEFENSE STUDIES
 
A contract has been signed with Alenia Aermacchi that will allow for the long tern operation, maintenance, modification and upgrade of the C-27J aircraft and support systems.
 
On 12 May, the Government announced the decision to purchase 10 Alenia C-27J Spartan Battlefield Airlift aircraft at a cost of $1.4 billion. The announcement also foreshadowed that Defence would seek a separate agreement with the C-27J manufacturer, Alenia, in order to ensure that the RAAF could operate, maintain and modify the aircraft throughout its planned life.
 
The contract, which is worth around $63 million, will also provide Defence with the ability to compete and sublicense third parties, including Australian industry, to provide the maintenance services, training services and the ability to modify the C-27J capability.
 
The C-27J will replace the Caribou aircraft which was retired from service in 2009 after a career spanning more than four decades. The C-27J complements the capabilities of the C-130 and C-17 aircraft and uses more common infrastructure and aircraft systems such as engines, avionics and the cargo handling systems.
 
The acquisition of the C-27J will significantly improve the ADF’s ability to move troops, equipment and supplies. The C-27J has the capacity to carry a significant load and still access small, sort, narrow runways that are too short for the C-130J or runways which are unable to sustain the repeated use of larger aircraft.
 
These aircraft will provide battlefield airlift but are also capable of conducting airlift in our region. They will be able to operate from rudimentary airstrips in Australia and overseas and will be able to support humanitarian missions in remote locations.
 
The flexibility of the C-27J allows it to undertake a wide range of missions from delivering ammunition to front line troops to undertaking aero-medical evacuation of casualties.
 
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31 mai 2012 4 31 /05 /mai /2012 18:00

C-27J – photo1 Alenia Aermacchi

 

May 31, 2012 defense-aerospace.com

(Source: Alenia Aermacchi; issued May 30, 2012)

 

Alenia Aermacchi, General Dynamics Canada, Provincial Aerospace, and DRS Canada Announce Letter of Intent to Team on Canadian Fixed-Wing SAR Proposal

 

OTTAWA, Canada --- Alenia Aermacchi, Alenia Aermacchi North America and Canada, General Dynamics Canada, Provincial Aerospace, and DRS Canada today announced the signing of a Letter of Intent to partner on a proposal for a Canadian Fixed Wing Search and Rescue (FWSAR) solution. The companies are finalizing the terms and conditions of the partnership and will work towards a more definitive agreement in the coming months.

 

The partnership is being formed in response to the Department of National Defence (DND) plan to acquire a new FWSAR capability to replace the aging fleet of FWSAR aircraft. Selection of the new capability will be conducted through a competitive process, with a draft Request for Proposal (RFP) expected in the fall of 2012, and contractor selection projected for 2014.

 

Alenia Aermacchi’s C-27J Spartan is the most capable, cost effective, and uncompromising search and rescue aircraft available today. Canada’s requirements make the C-27J the perfect fit for their FWSAR needs. The aircraft can operate in harsh environments and across vast terrains and can provide the speed necessary to reach those in need quickly.

 

“The search and rescue teams need an aircraft they can count on no matter the conditions or distance. The C-27J is well suited to some of Canada’s harshest terrain where it will often be called into duty. The characteristics that made the C-27J the right solution for ten other national air forces will prove critical in Canada’s selection process as well,” said Alan Calegari, Chief Executive Officer of Alenia Aermacchi North America. “We are looking forward to working with our outstanding Canadian partners on this procurement.”

 

With Alenia Aermacchi’s C-27J, General Dynamics Canada’s experience in performance-based in-service support on aircraft, and Provincial Aerospace's search and rescue experience and international reputation as a special mission aircraft modification, integration, operations and MRO organization, this team offers Canada the very best aircraft for FWSAR with a strong Canadian presence. The long-term engineering and maintenance support of the fleet, and the resulting long-term, well-paying jobs across the country will make this partnership an outstanding economic stimulus for Canada’s aerospace sector.

 

“This team represents the best capabilities in Canadian industry, combined with the most capable aircraft in the competition,” says David Ibbetson, General Manager, General Dynamics Canada. “We are excited to be part of such a strong team, supporting Alenia’s C-27J for the FWSAR program. We are committed to providing RCAF air crews and SAR techs with the very best search and rescue capability in the world for decades to come.”

 

According to Brian Chafe, Provincial Aerospace’s Chief Operating Officer, “Our company has been supporting the Department of National Defence airborne surveillance mandate in Canada's challenging maritime environment for some 25 years. We know the demands of Canada's oceans, Arctic areas and rugged terrain first hand. The C-27J is the right aircraft for the job and the FWSAR procurement will result in an economic enabler with no parallel by creating domestic and international opportunities for companies to become part of Alenia's globalsupply chain.”

 

Steve Zuber, vice president and general manager of DRS Canada said, “DRS Canada is very excited to be a partner on the Alenia C27J team, and we look forward to expanding our significant presence in Canada into a strong relationship with the Royal Canadian Air Force.” Seasprite technicians, were often operating in challenging conditions. Nevertheless the trials were completed in a thoroughly professional, safe and timely manner.

 

"There will still be a considerable period of learning as we gain experience operating the aircraft on actual deployments."

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29 février 2012 3 29 /02 /février /2012 08:05
Alenia Warns U.S. Over C-27J Sales

Alenia Aermacchi, the Italian maker of the C-27J, is warning the U.S. government that it will refuse to support the aircraft it sold to the United States if the U.S. resells them to other nations. (Senior Master Sgt. David Lipp / Air Force)

 

Feb. 27, 2012 By VAGO MURADIAN – Defense news

 

SINGAPORE — In what analysts see as an unprecedented move, Alenia Aermacchi, the Italian maker of the C-27J, is warning the U.S. government that it will refuse to support the aircraft it sold to the United States if the U.S. resells them to other nations.

 

 

The move caught some U.S. officials by surprise and threatens to undermine American efforts to resell the planes on the international market, most likely to Australia, Canada or Taiwan.

 

Giuseppi Giordo, CEO of Alenia Aermacchi, explained his position in an interview at the Singapore Air Show here, before continuing on for meetings in Australia.

 

“Obviously, we don’t like the [U.S.] decision,” he said. “However, we respect it and we will try to mitigate any negative impacts from the cancellation of the C-27J.”

 

Giordo explained that the company would continue to support efforts to sell new C-27Js through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program, but would exercise its contractual rights not to support the aircraft originally sold to the U.S. if those planes were resold on the international market, essentially competing with Giordo’s company.

 

“If they want to sell additional airplanes as FMS, we will support them, but not those 21 airplanes,” Giordo said. “In fact, we will do our best — not only us, but the Italian government — not to support those planes. In that case the U.S. government will be competing against our international campaigns in a market where 21 airplanes is a big deal.”

 

The U.S. Air Force announced it would end the program earlier this month after spending $1.6 billion for 21 aircraft, 12 of which have been delivered, four in final assembly and testing, and five in production. Officials have not specified plans for the C-27Js, and options include parking them in the desert for future use, transferring the planes to the Air Guard, Special Operations Command or another agency, such as Homeland Security, or reselling the aircraft internationally.

 

Air Force spokesmen said the decision was driven by a change in U.S. strategy and budget pressures, and is not a reflection on the aircraft or its performance. Officials simply concluded they could meet mission requirements with their fleet of C-130 and C-17 transports.

 

“We’re working through those issues for the C-27, also the Global Hawk, which in both cases represent new airframes,” Air Force Secretary Michael Donley told an audience at the Air Force Association’s winter conference in Orlando, Fla. “So we will probably set rules for Type-1,000 recoverable storage and lesser numbers for availability for us. Our international affairs staff ... are communicating to potential countries interested and partners asking for them to identify their interest.

 

“I think there are a number of avenues available to us. We have not selected a particular course of action. We will be putting that together and it does include potentially making these airframes available for sale to [partners].”

 

Heidi Grant, deputy undersecretary of the Air Force for international affairs, said foreign interest is high in C-27Js, C-130H transports and Global Hawk reconnaissance aircraft.

 

In Singapore, Grant met with nearly two dozen of her international counterparts during her visit to the Asian city-state. The aircraft to be divested by the U.S. since 2001, she said, would constitute the world’s seventh largest air force.

 

Grant added the Air Force is working to determine the future of the planes and waiting to see whether Congress approves the service’s budget. Selling excess aircraft is of interest, she said, because her mission is to improve “the capability and capacity of our partners.”

 

A Rare Stand

 

For the U.S. Air Force, ending the purchase of C-27J transport planes was just one of thousands of decisions needed to help cut Pentagon spending by nearly a half-trillion dollars over the coming decade.

 

But for Alenia, a Finmeccanica company, the decision is a threat to the future of the twin-engine plane and 1,000 workers at two factories that build it.

 

Once a nearly $6 billion Army program for 145 aircraft, the Air Force took over the effort in 2009 and capped the purchase of C-27Js at 38 planes. But in its recent 2013 budget request, it decided to end the program at 21 aircraft, 17 fewer than expected, and retire the fleet next year.

 

It remains unclear how much the Air Force will save by deferring the option for 17 additional aircraft, or if the service will even be required to pay Alenia a termination fee, sources said.

 

Analysts called Giordo’s stance unprecedented, but understandable in light of market dynamics and the Italian company’s bitter experience with Pentagon contracting over the past decade.

 

Alenia’s sister company, AgustaWestland, beat longtime incumbent Sikorsky to win the U.S. presidential helicopter contract, only to have the $6 billion program for 28 aircraft canceled in the early days of the Obama administration after constant design changes by the government sent costs soaring. Nine helicopters were delivered when the program was canceled; they were later sold to Canada for $164 million.

 

Defense trade has emerged as the source of uncharacteristic discord between Washington and Rome, which have long been close allies. Italy hosts thousands of U.S. troops on its soil and remains a major buyer of American military gear, most notably the Joint Strike Fighter that will cost Rome about $15 billion for 100 aircraft. But the fact that America won’t buy Italian products infuriates some executives and officials.

 

Giordo maintains his tough line on the C-27J won’t hurt his company’s prospects in the U.S. Alenia remains a key partner on the multinational Joint Strike Fighter program and will pursue the Air Force’s trainer replacement contract when that competition gets underway formally in a few years. And Finmeccanica’s DRS Technologies continues to serve as the cornerstone of the Italian giant’s U.S. operation and a key DoD supplier, now under the leadership of former Deputy Defense Secretary Bill Lynn.

 

L-3 Communications is the prime contractor for the U.S. C-27J program, performing final integration of the aircraft in Waco, Texas. The company declined to comment on Giordo’s stance, noting it’s a matter between Alenia and the Air Force.

 

With the U.S. order capped and the aftermath of U.S. and European budget cuts, the C-27J’s prospects have dimmed. A derivative of Alenia’s G222 with new engines and avionics, 62 C-27Js have been sold worldwide: 21 to America, 12 to Italy, eight to Greece, seven to Romania, four to Mexico, four to Morocco, three to Bulgaria and three to Lithuania.

 

Alenia has identified South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Taiwan, Egypt, Oman, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Qatar and “potentially UAE” as future customers.

 

Richard Aboulafia, an analyst with the Teal Group in Virginia, said the 21 planes the U.S. might want to sell constitutes the bulk of the world market for such small transports — and is equivalent to two years’ output from Alenia’s factories.

 

That explains why the stakes are high enough for Giordo to take such a hard stance.

 

“I am pragmatic,” Giordo said. “I prefer they put the airplanes in the desert.”

 

Message to Potential Buyers

 

Giordo said he will take his message that his company won’t support U.S. aircraft to all his potential C-27J customers such as Australia, which has expressed interest in the planes. He visited Australia Feb. 15-17.

 

The message to the Australians is that “you can buy on FMS and we will support the FMS case for 10 additional airplanes,” Giordo said. “But if they consider selling the 21 [U.S. planes], no way. They can sell, but as the original equipment manufacturer, I will not give spares, not guarantee configuration control, and so on.”

 

Alenia has fought an uphill battle to crack the U.S. market. Lockheed Martin first partnered with Alenia on the C-27J, only to abandon the program when it concluded it would compete with Lockheed’s four-engine C-130J. Then Boeing signed on as a partner, but it too withdrew its support. Eventually, Alenia partnered with L-3 and won a deal for up to 145 light battlefield transports valued at $6 billion, beating EADS’ C-295.

 

“We have two problems,” Giordo said. “First of all, the price that we have with the U.S. government is a very, very, low, low price because to win the competition we had to reduce the price. Second, the volume at the beginning was 145, then 78, then 38, now 21 with firm, fixed price. We are losing money.

 

“So, how can I allow the U.S. government to sell 21 airplanes they have in their inventory where I lose money and they also kill my international marketing?”

 

Sympathy for Alenia

 

But that stance does have its risks for Alenia Aermacchi, which stands to compete when the U.S. Air Force launches a new jet trainer competition in three years.

 

That competition was to have gotten underway later this year, with Alenia to bid a U.S. version of its M-346 trainer against the T-50 by Korea Aerospace Industries and Lockheed Martin and a new version of BAE Systems’ Hawk trainer sold by Northrop Grumman. Boeing is also considering developing an all new aircraft for the competition.

 

Asked whether his C-27J stance could damage relations with the U.S. Air Force, Giordo said, “I do not see what consequences our decision should have. Our decision is based on a product of a specific program and not meant to jeopardize the relationship with such an important customer and partner. I am sure that we will continue our collaboration with the United States, on, for example the [Joint Strike Fighter] program.”

 

He added that he is confident the M-346, which was selected by Singapore and most recently Israel, is a strong product that would satisfy U.S. requirements.

 

Senior U.S. aerospace executives expressed sympathy for Giordo, saying Alenia has been dealt a particularly tough hand.

 

“They fought like hell to win that contract and priced the plane to win but didn’t leave a lot of profit margin,” said one senior executive. “That’s why he can’t afford to have the U.S. government sell the planes they have. But we’ve all been through that. We bid for programs that we think will be for hundreds of planes that over time dwindle to a handful; it’s just that Alenia’s smaller than we are, so this kind of thing hurts even more.”

 

“No doubt about it, it’s a tough message, but you can’t blame them because by any objective measure, this company has faced a series of setbacks not of its making,” said Loren Thompson of the Lexington Institute think tank, who also has served as a strategic adviser to Alenia’s parent, Finmeccanica. “It invested heavily to break into the U.S. market, winning the presidential helicopter and the Joint Cargo Aircraft. Both were terminated, and two Air Force helicopter programs they were eager to compete for, search and rescue and supporting ICBM fields, were canceled.”

 

Teal analyst Aboulafia agreed, noting that the only recent parallel to Alenia’s position was between Boeing and Airbus two decades ago.

 

“Back in the ‘90s, Airbus said it wouldn’t support A340s Boeing took from Singapore in exchange for 777s,” he said. “It was ultimately resolved after Airbus realized that not supporting the planes would hurt residual values for all A340s. What Alenia wants to do is effectively embargo its own product. It’s an aggressive stance, but my question is how this plays out in reality. It’s extremely difficult to enforce on any sophisticated product with a whole lot of subcontractors and third-party suppliers.”

 

Aboulafia suggested the move is more a negotiating tactic than a final position, noting it’s never good for business to squeeze a customer.

 

“Customers have a tendency of noticing how you treat other customers,” he said. “On the other hand, it’s a great little airplane that’s living hand to mouth at a run rate of just under one per month, not a lot in the pipeline and with few prospects like Taiwan and Australia.

 

“You can say one thing in Finmeccanica’s favor, they’ve worked hard. Given all that’s happened, whether cancellation of the 27, the presidential helicopter, competitions going away or being delayed like the trainer, the degree of fatigue and annoyance with U.S. procurement of foreign systems is quite understandable, so what do they really have to lose? It’s very understandable, but it might not be tenable.”

 

Marcus Weisgerber in Washington and Tom Kington in Rome contributed to this report.

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27 janvier 2012 5 27 /01 /janvier /2012 08:25
USAF, Army Still Squabbling Over C-27J

Photo: C-27J Team

Jan 26, 2012 By Amy Butler - aviation week and space technology

Washington - U.S. military officials are keen on saying they never intend to fight the last war. This is their way of indicating a focus on future conflicts, not on the past.

Apparently, this sentiment does not apply to the interservice skirmishes at the Pentagon. The U.S. Army and Air Force are in the final throes of hashing out an updated agreement on the time-sensitive, direct-support airlift mission, the latest chapter in a years-long saga over how to ship supplies to remote soldiers despite two wars and one stunted buy of Alenia’s C-27J.

The agreement is being made between the chiefs of staff of both services. At issue is how the time-sensitive airlift mission will be handled; this includes the shuttling of small loads of supplies to forward Army units in the field.

The outcome of this cargo rub between the two services could be the first of many such roles-and-missions scrapes. As the Pentagon looks to save money by killing some programs or nixing new ones, the Army and Air Force are also on a crash course regarding the small fleets of tactical, fixed-wing intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft that each have procured since the start of the Iraq invasion in 2003. In the case of the General Atomics Gray Eagle and Reaper UAS, the developmental Enhanced Medium-Altitude Reconnaissance and Surveillance System (Emarss) and MC-12W Project Liberty aircraft, the services operate very similar systems. In at least one case—with Emarss and the MC-12W—lawmakers have suggested that only one service manage a unified fleet.

As it did with its rotary-wing fleet, the Army is trying to reduce the number of unique airframes in its tactical ISR fleet, says Maj. Gen. Anthony Crutchfield, who heads up the Army Aviation Center of Excellence at Fort Rucker, Ala. “We have a plan to divest of some of the different types of aircraft [and shift to] fewer single airframes.” Without saying which aircraft would be let go, Maj. Gen. Tim Crosby, the Army’s program executive officer for aviation, says the service must “pick those that have been the best bang for the buck.”

Though Crosby notes there is still more work to be done on this, the airlift debate is raging.

“The concern is the logistics part,” says Crutchfield. “What we have to sort out is: ‘Who does that?’”

If this sounds familiar, it is.

The last installment of this tug-of-war took place in 2005 when, during his first major speech to the Air Force Association, the then Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Gen. T. Michael Moseley, announced he wanted a new light cargo aircraft. This was considered odd as the Army was in the midst of setting up its future cargo aircraft program, which was then crafted to replace old C-23 Sherpas and provide more immediate access to commanders for cargo support. At the time, the Army moved ahead with its own program because it felt that it had lackluster support by the Air Force to properly back its needs.

Underscoring the need for direct-support activities were the ongoing wars in Afghanistan and Iraq that called for distributing supplies around small, remote Army outposts. Not only were the Sherpas aging, they lacked pressurized cabins, making it difficult to operate them at high altitude in places such as Afghanistan, says Col. Patrick Tierney, director of the Army’s aviation directorate.

Moseley’s push, along with his similar and later move to take over the Army’s burgeoning UAV force, was seen as an abrupt roles-and-missions grab by the Air Force in the midst of these two wars. In the case of the cargo aircraft role, the USAF won.

At the direction of then-Defense Secretary Robert Gates, in 2009 the Air Force took over authority for the C-27J buy and control of the direct-support mission; service officials said they would combine the use of C-27Js and C-130s to provide cargo lift for the Army (though Army officials had long complained that C-130 support was inefficient owing to underloading of these larger aircraft).

Army officials say that in actuality, the CH-47 Chinook fleet has been unduly burdened in providing timely support because the helicopters are used to shuttle goods from C-130s that land at hubs to the remote locales where soldiers are stationed.

“The major rub to us is responsiveness and not efficiency,” says one Army official who requests anonymity. “When a part is needed at the front line, it flies” and shouldn’t have to wait for enough requests to fill a C-130, the official adds. “We are more about effectiveness than efficiency, and [the Air Force is] more about efficiency than effectiveness.”

So, the questions now are: What is the right number of small cargo-lifters for the direct-support role, and how should the mission be managed?

Though both branches agreed to USAF control of the mission in the 2009 pact, the Army is now insisting that language be added to clarify its needs—specifically emphasizing responsiveness, especially when parts or supplies are called for at forward-operating locations.

USAF Lt. Gen. Herbert Carlisle, deputy chief of staff for operations, acknowledges what he calls a “natural tension” for Army commanders wanting quick support.

The outcome of this deal will directly impact how soldiers at such sites are supported in Afghanistan.

Army officials had long argued that an Army officer must oversee this mission to ensure that its commanders’ needs take priority; the fear is that the USAF will de-emphasize Army unit requirements against the more strategic priorities of regional cargo movements. USAF, however, has long countered that it best knows how to provide airborne logistics support across a fleet of aircraft, including the C-27J, C-130 and C-17.

In 2009, the Air Force conducted a demonstration of the direct-support mission using C-27Js and C-130s in Iraq; this validated the service’s plans for a mix of the two for the mission.

Two C-27Js were deployed to Afghanistan in late July 2011 and quickly started flying operational direct support missions, Gen. Raymond Johns said last fall. The C-27Js are apportioned to Army officials there via Tacon (tactical control), although USAF pilots fly the missions, but the C-130s are not. This means the C-27Js are specifically set aside only for intratheater/direct-support missions under Army authority. Though C-130s are used for this mission, they can be reassigned elsewhere in the area, if needed, Johns said.

Army officials are less than satisfied with the Air Force’s delays in delivering C-27Js to the field. At least six were to be in Afghanistan by now, and why they have not been deployed is the “golden question,” the anonymous Army official said.

One industry official says the Army is “trying to hold the Air Force’s feet to the fire to do what they signed up for” in the 2009 pact.

Alenia has delivered 13 of 21 C-27Js on contract. Originally, Alenia officials projected the U.S. market for the C-27J (including Army/Air Force buys) to support as many as 125 aircraft. Tierney said that in 2005, the Army’s projections set a low risk of handling the mission with a fleet of 78 C-27Js and a moderate risk at 54. When Gates shifted the C-27J program from Army control to the Air Force, the buy shrank to 38 aircraft.

The sharp reduction in procurement numbers prompted Alenia to scrap its plans to open a final assembly facility in Florida; the aircraft are being delivered from a plant in Italy.

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz indicated during a recent testimony to Congress that the C-27J faces termination—possibly before all 38 are delivered—due to fiscal pressure. Service officials contend that maintaining a separate fleet for this mission adds to its spending for unique training and logistics, whereas a C-130-based mission could build off of an existing infrastructure. It is unclear whether the service would keep the C-27Js already delivered or divest of them entirely.

Numerous lawmakers and governors associated with states slated to host C-27J Guard units have written to Schwartz, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton Carter advocating the program. Some of them argue not only for the national security advantages of the aircraft but also note that without those units, jobs in their districts will be in jeopardy.

Meanwhile, Crutchfield notes that the Army’s C-23 Sherpas still support war operations. Without better direct support from USAF, the Army would have to pay $350 million to keep old C-23s operating, and they would still lack a pressurized cabin, Tierney says. Carlislie expects the updated pact to be signed in days.

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23 décembre 2011 5 23 /12 /décembre /2011 08:25
Bulgarian Air Force C-27J photo kos93

Bulgarian Air Force C-27J photo kos93

22 December 2011 - by the Shephard News Team

 

Alenia Aeronautica has signed a framework agreement that will see it define the procedures for the supply of logistic support services to the C-27J fleet of the Bulgarian Air Force. The work will cover a ten year period, with a first contract signed to cover the first five years.

 

Worth 25 million euro, the contract includes, in addition to the spare parts, ground support equipment, technical material, maintenance inspections, training activities, also a specific and continuous on-site technical assistance, thanks to a ‘Field Service Representative’ at Sofia’s Bulgarian base, to fully meet the technical-operational requirements of the customer.

 

The last of three C-27Js were delivered to the Bulgarian Air Force earlier this year, following a contract signed in 2006.

 

According to the company, the C-27J is a new-generation tactical transport aircraft compliant with NATO standards and interoperable with heavier airlifters in service with other Atlantic Alliance countries and also capable of operating in the most complex operational scenarios, thanks to its active and passive self-defence systems. The Bulgarian C-27Js are equipped with self-defence systems that significantly improve the aircraft’s capability of operating in the most difficult operational conditions.

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15 décembre 2011 4 15 /12 /décembre /2011 08:00
Cassidian : coopération sur les drones avec Alenia

 

14 décembre 2011 par DSI

 

Un protocole d’accord a été signé entre Cassidian et Alenia Aeronautica afin d’étudier conjointement la possibilité d’une coopération dans le domaine des systèmes de drones MALE (Moyenne Altitude Longue Endurance) et de combat.

 

Grâce à cet accord, les deux entreprises analyseront les besoins exprimés par leurs gouvernements respectifs en matière de drones. Le mouvement est important : Alenia est un acteur plus expérimenté que Cassidian en matière de drones, en ayant développé les Molynx, Sky-X, Sky-Y et en travaillant également sur le projet Neuron.

 

On notera que Selex Galileo, également membre de Finmeccanica comme Alenia, s’est spécialisé sur les micro-drones et les drones tactiques. C’est donc à un acteur de poids que s’associe Cassidian. Reste que ce dernier semble également accroché au Talarion.

 

Ainsi, selon Bernhard Gerwert, Chief Operating Officer (COO) de Cassidian, « nous nous réjouissons à la perspective d’explorer toute forme de collaboration possible avec Alenia Aeronautica autour des drones MALE de prochaine génération, tels que le Talarion (…) ». En tout état de cause, une alliance franco-italienne pourrait bien chercher à faire face à une alliance franco-britannique (Dassault-BAE).

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14 décembre 2011 3 14 /12 /décembre /2011 21:06

http://referentiel.nouvelobs.com/file/2816358.JPG

 

14-12-2011 Par Challenges.fr (Avec AFP)

 

Cassidian, au nom d'EADS Allemagne, et Alenia Aeronautica ont signé un protocole d'accord pour explorer les possibilités de coopération sur les drones.

 

Cassidian, division défense du géant européen EADS, et le constructeur italien Alenia (Finmeccanica) ont annoncé mercredi 14 décembre un accord en vue de développer des drones de surveillance et de combat pour l'Allemagne et l'Italie. Les modèles concernés sont des drones MALE (moyenne altitude longue endurance) et des drones de combat.

 

"Les deux sociétés vont analyser les besoins exprimés par leurs gouvernements respectifs dans le secteur des drones avec pour objectif de créer un partenariat stratégique", explique le communiqué.

 

Bernhard Gerwert, directeur opérationnel des opérations de Cassidian cité dans le communiqué, se dit heureux d'explorer les possibilités de collaboration dans le secteur des drone MALE, "comme par exemple le Talarion qui est de la plus haute importance pour l'industrie européenne de l'aviation militaire".

 

Premier vol programmé pour 2015

 

Le programme Talarion a été lancé par Cassidian pour répondre aux besoins exprimés à l'origine par la France, l'Allemagne et l'Espagne. Son premier vol est programmé pour 2015 et la production en série pour 2018.

 

La France ne s'est pas montré intéressée par le Talarion et a confié à Dassault Aviation le développement d'un drone MALE, baptisé Telemos, en coopération avec le constructeur britannique BAE systems.

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20 octobre 2011 4 20 /10 /octobre /2011 06:05

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-69Ip8s_ApEI/Tp6ZTMqogFI/AAAAAAAAKww/2_pBxD3n5sQ/s400/C-27J.jpg

The C-27J Spartan (photo : Alenia)

 

19.10.2011 DEFENSE STUDIES

 

The federal government has confirmed it has requested pricing and availability of 10 Alenia C-27J tactical transport aircraft for the RAAF.

 

The Air 8000 Phase 2 Battlefield Airlifter (BFA) project aims to replace the tactical airlift capability left vacant by the retirement of the RAAF’s DHC Caribou in December 2009, and has been put off by successive governments over a period of more than 20 years.

 

The C-130H and C-130J Hercules operated by Richmond based 37SQN have to some extent fulfilled this role in recent years, but the Hercules lacks the short field performance and is much heavier than the Caribou or its possible replacements, while helicopters lack the range or speed of a fixed wing aircraft.

 

In a statement released on October 19, Minister for Defence Stephen Smith and Defence Materiel Minister Jason Clare said the formal request was being sent now because production of 38 C-27Js for the US Air National Guard was coming to an end. “Due to the pending closure of the production line for US Air National Guard aircraft the Government has authorised Defence to issue a non-binding/no-commitment Letter of Request seeking price and availability information on the C-27J,” the statement reads.

 

While Defence was unable to confirm at time of writing to which organisation the request had been submitted, the ministerial statement suggests the C-27J may be acquired through the US Foreign Military Sales process. This would give Australia an opportunity to tie into the US’s sustainment and upgrade program for its fleet, as well as giving greater economies of scale for both operators.

 

Recent media reports suggest US politicians are pushing for an increase in the US ANG fleet to as many as 75 C-27Js, as the type is now in operation in Afghanistan and has proven to be far more economical than the larger C-130 with typical loads. The C-27J shares common engines and cockpit avionics architecture with the C-130J.

 

The formal request doesn’t mean the C-27J has been selected to fulfil the Air 8000 Phase requirement over Airbus’s rival C295. “The information from the Letter of Request will inform Government consideration of capability, cost and schedule issues associated with this project as well as consideration of the acquisition strategy, including whether a roader tender process will be pursued,” the ministerial statement said.

 

But the RAAF is known to have long favoured the more rugged structure and larger cargo hold of the C-27J over the smaller but longer C295, and is likely to push for a sole-source selection. The statement says it expects a response to the request by February 2012, after which “careful consideration of all the options will then proceed.”

 

The statement has also for the first time officially acknowledged that Defence is developing options to retain the C-130H fleet – of which about eight aircraft are operational out of a core fleet of 12 – beyond its planned retirement in 2013 out to 2016.

 

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20 septembre 2011 2 20 /09 /septembre /2011 12:35
Mexico receives first C-27J transport

Photo Alenia Aeronautica

 

20/09/11 By Craig Hoyle SOURCE:Flight International

 

Mexico's first newly-acquired Alenia Aeronautica C-27J has made its public debut at an event to commemorate the nation's independence.

 

Sporting a white colour scheme, the tactical transport was accompanied by one of the Italian manufacturer's own C-27J Spartans during the 16 September flight over Mexico City.

 

Acquired under a roughly $200 million contract signed in July, the aircraft is the first of four C27Js that will be delivered to Mexico by late 2012.

 

Alenia Aeronautica expects the nation's air force to operate the type for tasks including troop and equipment transport, medical evacuation, search and rescue amnd humanitarian assistance missions.

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24 juin 2011 5 24 /06 /juin /2011 12:10
Alenia Aeronautica’s Study for C-27J Version to support Special Forces Operations

 

June 23, 2011 defense-aerospace.com

(Source: Alenia Aeronautica; issued June 22, 2011)

 

Alenia Aeronautica, a Finmeccanica company, announced today that it is evaluating the feasibility of an aircraft for the Italian Air Force to support National Special Forces Operations.

 

The Italian Defence has decided to launch the so called Pretorian Programme, as a special version of the C-27J, in order to analyse potential technical solutions for providing weapons and integrated weapon systems, Communications Intelligence (COMINT), EO/IR Sensor (Electro optical/Infra-red) to the C-27J Aircraft, as existing platform.

 

“The ‘Pretorian’ Programme has all the potentialities to attract the interest on the main world markets” – Giuseppe Giordo, Alenia Aeronautica’s CEO and Responsible for Finmeccanica’s Aeronautics Sector, said.

 

Mr. Giordo then added that "to produce the special version of the C-27J, Alenia Aeronautica will seek international Partners and explore all the business opportunities that may arise”.

 

The C-27J Spartan is the best seller in the tactical transport airlifter’s category. The C-27J is a twin-engine turboprop aircraft with state-of-the-art technology in avionics, propulsion and other on-board systems. It provides high performances, high cost effectiveness, extreme operating flexibility and best performances among other aircraft of its class in all weather conditions and offers interoperability with heavier airlifters.

 

The C-27J is capable of taking off from and landing on unprepared strips, less-than-500 m. long, with maximum take-off weight of 30,500 kg; it may carry up to 60 equipped soldiers or up to 46 paratroopers and, in the air ambulance version, 36 stretchers and 6 medical assistants.

 

The large cross section (2.60 meters high, 3.33 metres wide) and high floor strength (4,900 kg/m load capability) allow heavy and large complete military equipment to be loaded. The C-27J can, for example, transport fighter and transport aircraft engines, such as C-130, Eurofighter Typhoon, F-16 and Mirage 2000, directly on their normal engine dollies without further special equipment.

 

The C-27J has been ordered by the air forces of Italy, Greece, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Romania, Morocco and by the U.S. Air Force for a total of 79 airplanes. The aircraft has also been selected by Slovakia.

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6 mai 2011 5 06 /05 /mai /2011 22:30
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.

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31 mars 2011 4 31 /03 /mars /2011 19:00
Bulgaria receives its last C-27J transport

Photo Alenia Aeronautica

 

31/03/11 By Craig Hoyle Flightglobal.com

 

Alenia Aeronautica delivered the Bulgarian air force’s third and last C-27J Spartan tactical transport during a 31 March ceremony at Sofia Vrazhdebna airport. The Italian company also opened a new logistics support centre for the type at the site. Introducing the C-27J forms part of a modernisation effort by the Bulgarian air force. The service’s other current transport assets include three Antonov An-26s and three Let L-410s, says Flightglobal’s MiliCAS database. Examples of both legacy types are visible in the image below, along with the air force’s lone An-30 reconnaissance aircraft.  Bulgaria had originally intended to acquire five C-27Js via a contract signed in 2006, and received its first example in November 2007. However, the NATO nation last April announced its intention to cancel the final two aircraft in an effort to save funds. Delivery of the third example was delayed while negotiations took place. Alenia Aeronautica has also previously delivered C-27Js to Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Morocco, Romania, Slovakia, the US Air Force and the US Army. It also recently named Indonesia as a potential future customer for the type.

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