Australia's first F-35A, C-27J achieve milestones

Alenia Aermacchi Photo

Big week for the future platforms of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as two key programs achieve milestones.

The first Lockheed-Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter for the RAAF, coded AU-1, which is currently winding its way through the cavernous JSF production facility at Fort Worth, Texas, is now standing on its on wheels for the first time. The aircraft was lifted by an overhead crane from an EMAS – Electronic Mate and Alignment System – station where its forward and rear fuselage sections were joined to the wing-centre fuselage assembly, to final assembly, where its control surfaces are added and final systems and engine are installed.

Meanwhile Alenia Aermacchi has announced that the first of ten C-27J Spartan battlefield airlifters for the Royal Australian Air force has made its maiden flight. It will be delivered to prime contractor L-3 Communications in 2014 for final fitout before the first two aircraft are brought to Australia in 2015. Here is the RAAF's (informative) media release about the event.

Australia to acquire 10 C-27J tactical transports

The Australian Department of Defence has announced that Australia will acquire 10 C-27J Spartan Battlefield Airlift Aircraft from Italy's Alenia. The cost cited by the Department's Media Release today has put the cost at $1.4 billion, with the aircraft delivered by 2015 and to be based at RAAF Richmond, to the west of Sydney. The release also reveals that the RAAF's fleet of C-130Hs, which was to be retired ahead of schedule, "will proceed in an orderly fashion over the course of the year".

In December 2011, the United States' Defense Security Cooperation Agency issued a notification for the potential sale of the 10 C-27Js to Australia, and provides an insight into what other equipment is included in the proposed package.

RAAF prefers the C-27J over the C295

In not-so-surprising news, it has been revealed that the Royal Australian Air Force has a preference for the Alenia C-27J over the Airbus Military C295 to meet its requirement for a tactical transport to replace the retired de Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou.

Bulgaria receives its last C-27J; ending troubled procurement project

© Alenia Aeronautica via Flightglobal

Ending a protracted saga, the last of three C-27J Spartan transports for the Bulgarian Air Force has been delivered. Bulgaria had originally intended to acquire five C-27Js but the NATO nation cancelled the final two aircraft in an effort to save funds.

Indonesia eyes C-27J Spartans

Indonesia will assess the Alenia C-27J Spartan tactical transport with a view to buy type to augment it's transport fleet. The TNI-AU has not specified the number of aircraft it wants, and is reportedly also considering the Airbus Military C-295 that is licence-produced in Bandung by state-owned Indonesian Aerospace.

Afghan Air Force C-27 fleet continues growth with ninth aircraft

The Afghan Air Force received a boost to its strength with the arrival of the ninth C-27A Spartan transport aircraft. The nascent air force's ultimate goal is 20 Spartans is expected to receive its tenth C-27A Spartan in early February.

Afghan Air Force retires An-26

After more than 30 years of operations, the Afghan Air Force will retire the last of its venerable Soviet-era Antonov An-26 transport aircraft. The role will be taken over by the Alenia C-27 now entering service,

Italy orders DIRCM systems for transports, helicopters

A three year contract has been awarded to Elettronica to supply the ELT/572 directional infrared countermeasures equipment for installation on Italian Air Force transport aircraft and helicopters. The firm will develop, integrate and ground-test DIRCM installation for the C-27J, C-130J transports and AW101 helicopter.

Bulgaria cuts C-27, helicopter purchases

In an effort to save funds, the Bulgarian Defence Ministry wants to reduce the order of five Alenia Aeronatica G222/C-27 transports to three, and halve its Eurocopter AS565 Panther order to three aircraft. Bulgaria already has its third C-27 and a Eurocopter Cougar helicopter held back by the manufacturers because of non-payment.

Italians to upgrade C-27s into counter-IED platforms

The Italian air force is upgrading its C-27J/G222s with equipment for protecting ground troops from improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Radio frequency jammers and ground penetrating radar will be installed in the upgrade.The expansion into the counter-IED role is initially intended to aid Italian forces in western Afghanistan, but other regions eventually will be included

Finmeccanica Eyes C-27J Sales to China

Italian company Finmeccanica would like to sell the C-27J/G.222 tactical transport to China, following the US government's proposal to sell the C-130J. Italian law currently forbids military sales to China.

Alenia to modify two more G222s for Afghanistan

Afghanistan is to receive a further two refurbished G222 (C-27J Spartan) light transports. The move will increase to 20 the number of ex-Italian air force aircraft to be prepared for its growing air force by the end of next year.

Afghan C-27 surpass 1,000 flight hours

The Afghan Air Force recently marked the fleet's 1,000th flight hour and its first fully functional flight crew for its C-27 Spartan transport aircraft.