The first C-27J is flying the skies of Mexico

C-27J’s operational debut in the Mexican skies. Finmeccanica: around USD 200 million contract with Mexico for four C-27J aircraft.

Mexico City has hosted in the last days the traditional parade for the celebration of the Mexican Independence's anniversary at the presence of the Country's top ranking personalities.

The C-27J with the Mexican colours was the guest of honour, and together with Alenia Aeronautica's C-27J 4033, has performed in a series of flights, in formation with the whole fleet of the Mexican Air Force.

Last 6th of July Alenia Aeronautica had announced the selection of its C-27J by Mexico: 4 aircraft ordered for a value of about 200 million dollars.

"We are very pleased with the Mexican choice" Giuseppe Giordo, CEO of Alenia Aeronautica, had commented: "Thanks to this order, considering it is the first in Latin America and premise of further orders by other countries of the same area, the number of airplanes ordered to date goes up to 83, confirming the C-27J as best seller among the aircraft of its category".

The commercial relationship with Mexico dates back to over ten years ago with the acquisition of Alenia Aermacchi's SF-260 trainer airplanes. This further acquisition strengthens even more the collaboration and trust between the two countries.

The Mexican Air Force greatly enlarges, through the C-27J, its operational capability thanks to the load capability and to the suitability of the aircraft to carry out many mission types such as transport of troops, goods and medicines, logistical re-supply, MEDEVAC (Medical Evacuation), airdrop operations, paratroopers' launches, search and rescue (SAR), fire fighting, humanitarian assistance, release of liquids dispersing hydrocarbons in the sea in the event of accidents on oil platforms, and missions in support of homeland security.

The C-27J is a twin-engine turboprop tactical transport aircraft with state-of-the-art technology in avionics, propulsion and systems. It provides high performances, high cost effectiveness, extreme operating flexibility and it is the only aircraft of its class offering interoperability with heavier airlifters.

The C-27J is capable of taking off from and landing on unprepared strips, less-than-500 m. long, with maximum take-off weight of 30,500 kg; it may carry up to 60 equipped soldiers or up to 46 paratroopers and, in the air ambulance version, 36 stretchers and 6 medical assistants.

The large cross section (2,60 meters high, 3,33 metres wide) and high floor strength (4,900 kg/m load capability) allow heavy and large complete military equipment to be loaded. The C-27J can, for example, transport Hummer, engines of fighter and transport aircraft, such as C-130, Eurofighter Typhoon, F-16 and Mirage 2000, directly on their normal engine dollies without further special equipment.

The number of airplanes ordered to date rises to 83, confirming the C-27J as best seller among the aircraft of its category. The C-27J has already been ordered by the air forces of Italy, Greece, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Romania, Morocco, Mexico and by the US. Air Force. The aircraft has also been selected by Slovakia's air force.


Source: Alenia- September 20, 2011 (www.alenia-aeronautica.it)

Photo: Mexico for four C-27J aircraft (xairforces.net)



(9/24/2011)