Tactical transports compete head to head
Brian M Walters
It could be said that both the main contenders for tactical transport aircraft orders in this region are ‘derivatives’, but AleniaAeronautica’s (Stand 1711) C-27J Spartan claims to have the edge over the rival EADS/Casa CN235/295. Both aircraft are powered by twin turboprop engines, but the Italian C-27J uses the same power pack as that fitted to the Lockheed Martin C-130J ‘new generation’ Hercules.
This alone could makes the Spartan a strong contender on grounds of commonality, but AleniaAeronautica contends that its candidate for orders was designed from the outset as a military transport, whereas the Spanish aircraft began life as a civil airliner. Not that this necessarily excludes the CN235/295 from defence roles, as some have been sold as military transports, while others have a maritime patrol application.
But recent sales successes in Lithuania and Romania, coming on top of earlier orders from Greece and Bulgaria, suggest that the rugged design plus the performance boost resulting from the use of Rolls-Royce AE2100-D2 engines is proving decisive for the Spartan. The fact that the C-27J has a Honeywell APU is also a critical asset because it allows the aircraft to be operated without the need of ground support and, if necessary, this can help to restart an engine when airborne.
With a takeoff ground run of 2,400ft, the C-27J can climb to 15,000ft in just under eight minutes, permitting the Spartan to pick up a load from a major air base and carry it to a forward operating location with a CBR 4 field condition. Its fuselage cross-section enables the C-27J to carry a military pallet rotated by 90° or an HMMWV, delivered by a C-130. AleniaAeronautica claims that a fleet of nine C-27Js
could provide the same airlift productivity as 17 C-295s.
Paying special attention to prospects in this region, the C-27J has carried out hot weather trials in Saudi Arabia and the UAE – experiencing 54° in the cockpit at Abu Dhabi and taking off from Khamis Mushait airport in ISA+26 at 7,600ft elevation at maximum takeoff weight and simulated one engine inoperative climb. The rugged undercarriage fitted with low-pressure tyres allows the aircraft to operate from very low CBR at significant weights.The company is awaiting the outcome of a competition for the US Army/USAF Joint Cargo Aircraft order that would result in the Spartan being assembled in the US, but meanwhile the Italian company has increased its original market estimates in anticipation of orders.
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