Alenia C-27J's operational debut in Mexico »

By Colbert Montanha
20 September 2011

The first of four Alenia C-27J Spartan medium-haul tactical airlifters for the Mexican Air Force. © Alenia

Mexico City, 19 September 2011 –– While the Central American country has hosted over the last days the traditional parade for the celebration of Mexico's Independence anniversary in the presence of the country's top ranking personalities, the first Alenia C-27J Spartan in Mexican Air Force colours was one of this year's guest of honours, flying in formation with the whole fleet of the Mexican Air Force (FAM).

Last 6 July, Alenia had announced the selection of its C-27J Spartan by the Fuerza Aerea Mexicana: 4 aircraft in total for a value of about US $ 200 million. "We are very pleased with the Mexican choice" commented Giuseppe Giordo, CEO of Alenia Aeronautica. "Thanks to this order, considering it is the first in Latin America and premise of further orders by other countries of the same area, the number of C-27Js ordered to date goes up to 83, confirming the C-27J as best seller among the aircraft of its category". The commercial relationship with Mexico dates back to the nineties with the acquisition of Aermacchi's SF-260 trainer airplanes.

With the C-27J, the Mexican Air Force will enlarge its in-theatre operational capability thanks to the aircraft's load capability and suitability to carry out many mission types such as troop-transport, supplies, ammunitions and any kind of logistical re-supply, medical evacuation, airdrop operations, paradrops, search and rescue (SAR), fire-fighting, humanitarian assistance, release of dispersal chemicals in the sea in the event of accidental oil slicks, etc…

Along with the CN 235 and C 295, the C-27J is a modern and flexible twin-engine turboprop tactical transport aircraft with modern avionics, propulsion and systems. It provides high performances, a good cost effectiveness, a big operating flexibility and, most important, it is the only aircraft of its class offering total interoperability with C-130 type airlifters.

The C-27J is capable of taking off from and landing on unprepared strips, less than 500 m-long, with a maximum take-off weight of 30,500 kg; it may carry up to 60 fully 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 big jeeps, fighter or transport aircraft engines on their normal engine dollies without further special equipment.

The C-27J has already been ordered by the air forces of Italy, Greece, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Romania, Morocco and by the U.S. Air Force. The aircraft has also been selected by Slovakia's air force while Mexico is the most recent customer.

Source: Alenia

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