In a significant milestone for military aviation, Leonardo recently handed over the first of two C-27J Next Generation aircraft to the Slovenian Ministry of Defence, marking the successful execution of the Italy-Slovenia Government-to-Government (G2G) Agreement signed on November 17, 2021.
The C-27J Next Generation aircraft boasts cutting-edge avionics, featuring a glass cockpit with five multifunction color screens, a radar tailored for tactical transport missions, robust communication systems, a satellite system, ballistic protection, and aerodynamically enhancing winglets.
Under the G2G Agreement, Leonardo, in collaboration with the Air Armaments and Airworthiness Directorate of the Secretariat General of Defence / National Armaments Directorate, has completed two contracts over the past two years. These contracts include not only the delivery of an aircraft but also encompass comprehensive logistics and training services.
The choice of the C-27J by the Slovenian Ministry of Defence aligns seamlessly with their diverse operational needs, catering to both transport and projection capabilities in international operations. Beyond military applications, the aircraft is poised to support national communities in critical roles such as rescue operations, disaster relief, and fire-fighting duties.
An interesting aspect of this deployment is the Slovenian program's plan to utilize the C-27J in a new fire-fighting configuration. Equipped with the latest generation Modular Airborne Fire-Fighting System (MAFFS II) from United Aeronautical Corporation, a global leader in aerial fire-fighting applications, the C-27J is well-prepared for fire-fighting missions.
The C-27J Next Generation's system architecture ensures a cost-effective solution that meets tactical operational requirements in the market, emphasizing interoperability with other higher category transport aircraft. The aircraft's modular architecture allows seamless integration with in-flight refueling, self-protection, secure communications, and ballistic protection systems, enabling it to operate effectively in high-threat environments while transporting materials, light vehicles, and personnel.
Thanks to the platform's versatility, the C-27J can be rapidly reconfigured through kits and roll-on/roll-off mission systems, adapting to the evolving demands of defense and civil protection missions in line with emerging market requirements.
With over 90 units ordered for deployment in challenging geographical, environmental, and operational contexts, Leonardo's Spartan, the C-27J, continues to evolve in both capacity and performance. Designed with intrinsic versatility, the aircraft excels in military transport missions, airdropping of paratroopers and materials, tactical support to ground forces, special forces operations, Maritime Patrol (MP), Command-Control-Communications (C3), Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), as well as humanitarian and aero-medical assistance operations. Developed and manufactured by Leonardo's Aircraft Division, the C-27J Spartan stands as an advanced derivative of the former Alenia Aeronautica's G.222, equipped with engines and various systems used on the larger Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules.
The C-27J, with specialized variants developed for various missions, has garnered international interest, with orders from military air units spanning Australia, Bulgaria, Chad, Greece, Italy, Kenya, Lithuania, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Zambia, and an undisclosed country.
Leonardo's delivery of the C-27J Next Generation aircraft marks a pivotal moment in military aviation, showcasing advanced capabilities and meeting diverse operational needs for the Slovenian Ministry of Defence.
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Naval Force