Alenia marks delivery of first C-27J Spartan for North American program
October 16, 2008 Ottawa, ON – Alenia North America this week formally marked the delivery of the first C-27J “Spartan” aircraft manufactured for a North American program, specifically the U.S. Joint Cargo Aircraft (JCA) program.
“We are pleased to highlight for Canadians that our delivery of this aircraft is on track,” said Marcello Cianciaruso, Vice-President of Canadian Programs for Alenia North America-Canada. “Our commitment to the North American market and to future North American programs and opportunities is strong, and we feel that the circumstances of this delivery show our ability to produce on schedule and on budget.”
The delivery ceremony for the JCA aircraft was held on October 15th in Waco, Texas, in conjunction with Alenia partner and JCA prime contractor L-3 Communications. The C-27J Spartan was selected in June 2007 as the Joint Cargo Aircraft, and the U.S. Armed Forces’ plan is to purchase 145 aircraft, rising to a total of over 200 units in 10 years.
“Alenia North America has approached a number of Canadian companies with Requests for Information for potential work to be done on C-27J aircraft coming off the upcoming North American production line,” said Alenia North America President Giuseppe Giordo. “We have also negotiated Memoranda of Understanding with potential Canadian partners. We continue to believe that the possibility for linkages of high-quality IRBs and innovation in Canada increases in the event of the launch of a fixed-wing search and rescue program in the coming months.”
The C-27J is a mid-range, multifunctional and interoperable aircraft able to perform logistical re-supply, MEDEVAC, search and rescue, troop movement, airdrop operations, humanitarian assistance and security missions. It is the world leader in the twin engine military tactical aircraft market, with 121 units sold worldwide.
Alenia North America is a subsidiary of Alenia Aeronautica and part of the Finmeccanica Group – one of the largest defence firms in the world. Its mission is to further expand the industrial and commercial presence of the Alenia Group in North America.
