美國防務新聞2007年6月13日報導，美國國防部於6月13日宣佈，由L-3通訊整合系統公司(L-3/IS, L-3 Communications Integrated Systems)領導全球軍用飛機系統(GMAS, Global Military Aircraft Systems)團隊研製的C-27J斯巴達人(Spartan)戰術運輸機，已在美國陸軍和空軍的聯合貨運飛機(JCA, Joint Cargo Aircraft)計畫所進行的招標中勝出，將成為美國空軍和陸軍航空部隊新一代的輕型運輸機型。
五角大廈將購買78架C-27J，分7年逐批交機，總價值超過20億美元。按照美軍的合約規定，這批運輸機將在美國境內生產。美國陸軍訂購54架，美國空軍則訂購24架，GMAS預計未來的國際客戶需求量將達207架。
聯合貨運飛機計畫招標開始於2006年，在招標的第一階段，總計有洛克希德‧馬汀公司(Lockheed Martin)的C-130J、歐洲航太西班牙分公司(EADS-CASA)與印尼航太公司(2000年改名為IAe，前身為IPTN公司)合作研製的CN-235、歐洲航太防衛暨太空公司(EADS)的C-295、GMAS團隊的C-27J參與了競標。而獲選進入第二階段的機型，則是EADS的C-295和GMAS團隊的C-27J。
美國陸軍航空部隊計畫用C-27J來汰換老舊的C-23夏巴(Sherpa)運輸機，分擔CH-47契努克(Chinook)運輸直升機的任務工作量，以及降低對地面運輸工具的運能依賴。
而美國空軍則希望用C-27J來補充現有的C-130運輸機群的運能，以使後者用來執行必要的戰術/戰略性運輸任務。
C-27J的最大起飛重量31800kg，最大巡航速度602km/h，貨艙最大酬載10255kg，無載重最大航程可達5926km。
(新聞出處)
2007/06/20 尖端電子報
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<台長短評>
US ARMY/USAF 曾用過C-27A(義國G-222滴美國版,3葉螺槳),C-27J算是阿藍尼亞(義)與美方合作,對C-27A進一步改良,換裝6葉螺槳/新發動機/數位航電,勝出不令筆者意外(較CASA滴”原裝”機,更能符合”在地”需求)
<英文版其他報導>
The U.S. Army and the U.S. Air Force have selected a team led by L-3 Communications to build the Joint Cargo Aircraft (JCA). Also on the C-27J Spartan team are Alenia North America (a Finmeccanica Company), Boeing Integrated Defense Systems, and Global Military Aircraft Systems (GMAS).
The C-27J is a mid-range, multifunctional and interoperable aircraft, able to perform logistical re-supply, MEDEVAC, troop movement, airdrop operations, humanitarian assistance and homeland security missions in support of Homeland Security for the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force. The C-27J will replace the U.S. Army’s C-23 Sherpas, C-12 and C-26 aircraft and augment the U.S. Air Forces’ existing fleet of intratheater airlifters. The aircraft will play a key role in providing responsive aerial sustainment and critical re-supply support for the maneuver force to maintain operational momentum.
”We are very proud that the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force selected the C-27J for the JCA Program,” said Michael T. Strianese, President and Chief Executive Officer of L-3 Communications. ”For this top priority program, L-3 will be serving as the prime. We look forward to working together with Finmeccanica’s Alenia Aeronautica and Alenia NA to deliver combat-ready, military aircraft that will support the joint forces in the field today and set a path for growth well into the future.”
”We are very pleased with the selection and acknowledgement that the C-27J is the best solution for the JCA,” said Bob Drewes, President and COO of L-3 Integrated Systems Group. ”We always believed this aircraft was the right solution and one that best meets the needs of the warfighter. The C-27J is ready to perform the JCA mission today.”
In selecting the C-27J the services opted for a performance-proven, effective, multi-mission cargo aircraft to fill a current capability gap in joint aerial delivery. The C-27J meets all requirements to transport critical cargo and personnel, self-deploy over strategic distances, land in austere locations, operate autonomously, and provide routine and combat aerial sustainment to the joint force.
”All of us in the Finmeccanica Group, Alenia Aeronautica, and Alenia North America are proud to have one of our products--the C-27J Spartan--selected by the U.S. Department of Defense as the aircraft platform that will serve the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Army requirements for a joint cargo aircraft for many years to come,” said Pier Francesco Guarguaglini, chairman and CEO, Finmeccanica. ”We are privileged to be a part of the C-27J Team led by L-3, one of the premier U.S. Defense firms, along with The Boeing Corporation.. The selection of the C-27J to serve America’s armed forces continues the long tradition of strategic cooperation between the United States of America and Italy. We look forward to the continued development of that relationship.”
”Today’s announcement is the result of a real transatlantic partnership between American and Italian aerospace companies,” said Giuseppe Giordo, president and chief executive officer, Alenia North America. ”This decision also indicates that the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force both recognize the unique capabilities of our C-27J aircraft, our team and our JCA offering as a whole.”
”This team brings together the best of global industry to provide a proven, low-risk solution for our Army and Air Force customers,” said Jim Albaugh, president and CEO of Boeing Integrated Defense Systems. ”We’re very pleased to join with our partners to deliver this latest version of an outstanding airlifter that’s ready to meet the mobility needs of our military customers.”
The C-27J Spartan is the latest in a successful tradition of military airlifters including the C-27A Spartan and the G-222, which have been deployed by the United States, NATO, Coalition Forces, the United Nations, and Italy in support of military and humanitarian operations in Albania, Armenia, Bosnia, Cambodia, Congo, Operations Desert Shield and Storm, East Timor, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Honduras, Kosovo, Libya, Mali, Panama, Rwanda, Somalia, Uganda and Yemen. C-27A Spartans are currently carrying out vital counter-drug activities for the United States in Central and South America.
About L-3 Communications
L-3 Communications Integrated Systems develops and integrates defense and commercial technology for U.S. and allied customers worldwide. Headquartered in Greenville, Texas, L-3 IS has more than five decades of experience in the development of complex intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems; command and control; and secure communications. It is recognized internationally as a systems integration organization specializing in the modernization and maintenance of aircraft of all sizes. It is a leader in advanced technologies for signal processing, electronic countermeasures, sensor development and aircraft self-protection. Systems provided or maintained by L-3 IS help protect military and civilian personnel, bases, assets and national borders throughout the world.
Headquartered in New York City, L-3 Communications employs over 63,000 people worldwide and is a prime system contractor in aircraft modernization and maintenance, C3ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) systems and government services. L-3 is also a leading provider of high technology products, subsystems and systems. The company reported 2006 sales of $12.5 billion.
To learn more about L-3, please visit the company’s web site at
www.L-3Com.com.
About Alenia North America
Alenia North America’s mission is to further expand the industrial and commercial presence of the Alenia Group in North America and it is a wholly owned subsidiary of Alenia Aeronautica, a Finmeccanica company. Alenia North America Inc. is headquartered in Washington, D.C. with offices in Long Beach, California; Smyrna, Georgia; Fort Worth, Texas; and Seattle, Washington. Alenia North America - Canada, a subsidiary wholly owned by Alenia North America, has offices in Ottawa, Canada. Alenia North America is also a shareholder in Global Aeronautica, a joint venture with Vought Aircraft Company, located in North Charleston, South Carolina, which performs significant integration and sub assembly work for the Boeing 787 program.
About Boeing Integrated Defense Systems
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world’s largest space and defense businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $32.4 billion business with 72,000 employees worldwide.
About Global Military Aircraft Systems
Global Military Aircrafts Systems (GMAS) is a joint venture between L-3 Communications Integrated Systems (L-3 IS), a division of L-3 Communications, and Alenia Aeronautica (a Finmeccanica company), through its Alenia North America Inc. subsidiary. GMAS aims to provide the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force with a solution for its Joint Cargo Aircraft (JCA) operational and support requirements, and to pursue the opportunities with the Department of Defense (DoD) and internationally, through the production and the outfit of the C-27J tactical transport aircraft.
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