The first Lockheed Martin/Alenia C-27JSpartan medium transport scheduled for delivery to the Greek air force made an 80min debut flight from Turin-Caselle airport late last month, following the completion of integration work at Alenia Aeronautica's Pomigliano d'Arco plant near Turin.
The Greek defence ministry placed a 12-aircraft order for theC-27Jin January 2003, with an option to acquire a further three to remain open until late 2005. Greek flight crew and maintenance personnel are also receiving instruction under the deal, using Alenia's engineering flight simulator and computer-based training systems. The first Greek air force crews have already completed ground training in Italy and are to begin flight activities before the service's first aircraft is accepted late this month.
Athens' first eight baselineC-27Js will be delivered this year, with the remaining four to follow in 2006 equipped with an inflight refuelling capability.
Its aircraft will feature Rockwell Collins communications and navigation equipment and an Alenia health and usage monitoring system. Additional ballistic protection and an integrated countermeasures suite could possibly be added later.
Sixteen C-27Js are in varying stages of completion at Pomigliano d'Arco, including the first of 12 on order for the Italian air force. Italy's aircraft differ from the baselineC-27Jconfiguration through the addition of head-up displays common with Lockheed Martin'sC-130J already in Italian service, and will feature a third flight deck crew position for use during training activities and demanding operational missions.
The aircraft also have an auto-throttle feature, inflight refuelling system, digital map, enhanced navigation and communications suite and an integrated defensive aids subsystem. Alenia expects to certify the fully equipped version by mid-November, with the Italian air force's first two aircraft to be ready for customer acceptance this year. A further eight will follow in 2006, with the remainder to be delivered in early 2007.
Alenia has also approved the manufacture of a further six C-27Js for delivery to possible export customers, which could include Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, the Czech Republic, Ireland, Portugal, Taiwan and the USA.
LUCAPERUZZI/ GENOA
Source: Flight International
