Paul Lewis/MARIETTA
Lockheed Martin Alenia Tactical Transport Systems (LMATTS) is considering a full C-27J assembly line in North America if it can secure sufficient US Army and National Guard orders for the joint venture development.
LMATTS plans to compete for the US Army's airborne common sensor (ACS) platform requirement with the C-27J, while the National Guard has begun to show interest in the twin-engine transport as a Shorts C-23A Sherpa replacement. The two programmes collectively have the potential to generate orders for up to 80 or more aircraft during a multi-year procurement.
"Between the ACS and the Guard, we already have a potentially large number of aircraft," says John Kessler, LMATTS vice president business development. "We're looking not just at support, but a number of scenarios, including production of structures, or at the other end of the spectrum, full assembly."
Lockheed Martin, under its joint venture agreement with Alenia, is marketing the C-27J as a complementary tactical transport to the larger C-130J. The two aircraft will have a common logistical support network, sharing the same Allison AE2100D2 turboprops, Honeywell avionics and cargo handling system.
Under current plans, the C-27J will be produced at Alenia's Caselle plant near Turin, starting with a launch order from either Australia or Greece. LMATTS has submitted a tender to the former for 10 aircraft, plus four options, but faces competition from the CASA C295. Canberra had been due to make a decision by July, but this has been postponed.
"Greece has issued a request for information for 15 aircraft and five options. While Australia may make a decision early next year, or possibly later this year, we hope Greece will be very shortly. The Italian air force is also seriously considering a decision to buy the C-27J," says Kessler.
Other prospects include Brazil's CLX requirement for 20 new tactical transports and Taiwan, which has a longstanding requirement for 18-22 aircraft. In anticipation of a launch order, LMATTS has placed a long lead production order for the first 10 aircraft available for delivery from mid-2001.
The first propulsion test aircraft is due to make its maiden flight by late August, with a second full production configured C-27J to follow by the end of the year. A third flight test aircraft will be used for Joint Aviation Authorities JAR25 certification, which LMATTS hopes to secure by the end of next year.
Source: Flight International
