Australia chooses L-3 as prime contractor for C-27J battlefield airlifter program
NEW YORK, N.Y., 18 May 2012. the Commonwealth of Australia has selected L-3 Communications Inc. (NYSE: LLL), a provider of C4ISR systems, to provide the C-27J Spartan for the country’s battlefield airlifter program. The U.S. Foreign Military Sales program has an approximate contract value of $600 million and includes the supply of 10 new C-27J aircraft worth about $300 million in addition to logistics support, spares and training.
The C-27J is a twin turboprop military tactical airlifter that has a maximum payload of 25,353 lbs. and a range of 1,151 miles. The C-27J has been deployed in combat zones such as Afghanistan and is currently operated by the U.S. and many of its allies, including Italy, Greece and Bulgaria.
The C-27J Spartan was designed by a team that consists of Alenia Aermacchi North America Inc., a designer and builder of aircraft; L-3 Communications Integrated Systems, a system integration company; and Global Military Aircraft Systems, a joint venture between Alenia Aermacchi North America Inc. and L-3 Communications Integrated Systems that is responsible for supporting the North American C-27J fleet.
The C-27J's primary competition for this purchase was the Airbus C-295, a twin turboprop military transport aircraft that is currently in service with 14 countries. The C-295 can carry 20,392 lbs. and has a range of 2,600 miles (828 with a full payload).
Delivery of the C-27J Spartans is to commence in 2015. The C-27Js are to replace Australia's old Caibou aircraft, which were taken out of service in 2009.
