New Spartan Customers Await First Aircraft
/
0 Comments
The first example of the tactical transport for the African nation is largely complete, with its Rolls-Royce AE2100 engines installed. Avionics and mission systems are presently being added, with painting and a number of tests still to be performed ahead of delivery provisionally scheduled for mid-December. The fuselage for the second aircraft will shortly arrive from Alenia's plant at Capodichino, Naples, says Francesco Dogliatti, product co-ordinator for the C-27J.
Training of Chad air force technicians and flight crew is already under way, adds Dogliatti. Meanwhile, the initial Spartan destined for the Royal Australian Air Force is undergoing fuel tests at Caselle. It will move to an adjacent part of the site at the end of October for flight testing and other acceptance trials, ahead of its expected delivery in early 2014.
Also being worked on at the Turin plant are the final three aircraft from the US Air Force's order for 21 of the type under its Joint Cargo Aircraft programme. The USAF plans to take delivery of the C-27Js but will place them immediately into storage following its 2012 decision to remove the Spartan from its fleet. Talks are ongoing within the US administration to transfer the transports to other government agencies such as the Forest Service, Special Operations Command and Coast Guard.
[via]
