Alenia G.222
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The Alenia G.222 (Alenia originally Aeritalia) is a medium-sized STOL military transport aircraft. It was originally developed to meet a NATO specification, but Italy was initially the only NATO member to adopt the type. Decades later, the United States purchased a small number of G.222s, designating them the C-27 Spartan after much modification.
The G.222 is of typical configuration for aircraft of its type, with high-mounted wings, twin turboprop engines, and a rear loading ramp. The cargo deck is sized to accommodate standard 463L pallets, has a door in the floor for airdropping, a built-in oxygen delivery system for medevac operations, and platforms at the side doors for paratroop deployment.
Development
In 1962, NATO issued a specification for a V/STOL transport aircraft (NATO Basic Military Requirement 4), but none of the various submissions resulted in a production contract. The Italian Air Force, however, felt that the Aeritalia proposal was worthy of development and ordered two prototypes plus a ground-test airframe in 1968. These aircraft were slightly simplified from Aeritalia's original proposal. The first prototype flew on July 18 1970 and the Air Force began evaluating the two prototypes at the end of December 1971. Testing proved highly successful, and a contract for 44 aircraft was issued, the first entering service in April 1978.Variants
G.222TCM
Two prototypes for the Italian Air ForceG.222RM
(Radiomisura - "radio measurements") Radio/radar calibration aircraft
G.222SAA
(Sistema Aeronautico Antincendio - "aeronautical fire-fighting system") Fire-fighter equipped for dumping water or fire retardant chemicals. Four built for Italian Air ForceG.222SAMA
Fire-fighterG.222T
Version powered by the Rolls-Royce Tyne for the Libyan Air Force. Sometimes designated G.222LG.222VS
(Versione Speciale - "special version") ECM version - 2 built for Italian Air Force. Sometimes designated G.222GE.C-27A Spartan
In 1990, the United States Air Force selected the G.222 as the basis of a "Rapid-Response Intra-Theater Airlifter" (RRITA). A total of ten G.222s were purchased and underwent avionics upgrades by Chrysler. These aircraft were stationed at Howard AFB, Panama, but were withdrawn from service in 1999 due to high maintenance costs.C-27J Spartan
In 1997, Alenia and Lockheed Martin formed Lockheed Martin Alenia Tactical Transport Systems for the development of an advanced version of the G.222 with advanced avionics, a glass cockpit and new engines, the same Rolls-Royce AE 2100s that power the C-130J Hercules.The C-27J has a 35% increase in range and a 30% increase in service ceiling over the original G.222. The Italian Air Force and the Hellenic Air Force has ordered twelve aircraft each, and the Bulgarian Air Force has selected C-27J for a requirement of eight. Alenia is offering Canada the C-27J as a CC-130 Hercules and CC-115 Buffalo replacement. Lithuania ordered three C-27J as AN-26 replacement. First plane to be delivered at the end of 2006.
Global Military Aircraft Systems (GMAS), a joint venture between L-3 Communications and Alenia Aeronautica, is currently promoting C-27J heavily for use in U.S. Army and Air Force Joint Cargo Aircraft Program.
Past and Present Users
Misc. G.222 models and C-27A
- Argentine Army
- United Arab Emirates
- Italy
- Libya
- Nigeria
- Somali National Army
- Thailand
- Tunisia
- Venezuela
- United States
C27J
- Greece
- Italy
- Bulgaria
- Lithuania
Stunt Flying
The G.222 is one of the few cargo planes capable of flying loops and other stunt maneuvers such as flying at about 90 km/h (with the cargo door in the back open) and short track landing (takes only about 300 m to stop the plane after touching the ground when it is empty, as seen on the Airpower 2005 in Zeltweg, Austria).Specifications (G.222)
External links
- [Alenia Canadian website advocating C-27J]
- [GMAS website promoting C-27J for the U.S. Army and Air Force JCA Program]
- [CdnMilitary.ca Article on the C-27J Spartan]
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