The Australian Department of Defence spearheaded by the Minister for Defence Stephen Smith and Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare announced today, May 11, 2012 that they have agreed to purchase $1.4 billion worth of 10 Alenia C-27J Spartan Battleship Airlift aircraft.
The possession of the 10 C-27Js will definitely improve the ADF’s ability to move troops, equipment and supplies. It can access over 1900 airfields compared to the other aircraft. The C27J’s flexibility allows it to undertake a wide range of missions from delivering ammunition to front line troops to undertaking aero-medical evacuation of casualties. It is also able to support humanitarian missions in remote locations.
The purchasing of the C-27J was assessed by the Defence as the aircraft that has bet met all essential capability requirements and provides best value for money, being able to fly further, higher while carrying more carge and requiring a smaller runaway than the other aircraft under consideration.
The Alenia C-27J Spartan is a medium-sized military transport aircraft with engines and systems of the Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules. The C-27J is an advanced derivative of Alenia Aeronautica’s G.222. The aircraft was selected as the Joing Cargo Aircraft (JCA) for the United States military.
The first aircraft is expected to be delivered in Australia around 2015 with the Initial Operating Capability scheduled for the end of 2016.
To get your own Alenia C-27J Battlefield Aircraft, you can visit Showcase Models and see the many Aviation Collectibles. ShowcaseModels.com offers museum-quality hand carved wood model planes at affordable prices.
Source: http://www.defencetalk.com/
Filed under: Carrier, News Tagged: | Airlift, Australia, Australian Department of Defence, Aviation Collectibles, C-27J Battlefield Aircraft, C-27J Battleship, Carrier, Military Transport Aircraft, Showcase model
