Alenia C-27J Spartan - Operational History

Operational History

Italy received its first C-27J in October 2006. The Italian Air Force deployed two C-27Js to Afghanistan from 12 September 2008 to 27 January 2009 in support NATO airlift operations.

In March 2011, the Bulgarian Air Force received its last of three C-27Js ordered. Bulgaria had initially ordered five in 2006, but reduced its order in 2010.

The United States received its first C-27J on 25 September 2008. In September 2008, the C-27J Schoolhouse, operated by L-3 Link, officially began classes at the Georgia Army National Guard Flight Facility, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia. By April 2009, the U.S. Army had accepted deliveries of two aircraft and had 11 more on order. A proposal in May 2009 that the U.S. Army/Army National Guard relinquish all of its aircraft to the U.S. Air Force, primarily the Air National Guard, with a reduction of the total buy to 38 aircraft, led the DoD to give total control of the US's C-27Js to the USAF in December.

Although the initial plan was for the C-27J to be operated by the Air National Guard for direct support of the United States Army, that changed to both Army National Guard and Air National Guard flight crews to support the fielding of the aircraft. The U.S. Air National Guard had received four C-27Js by July 2010 and began using them for testing and training. Purchase of 38 Spartans is anticipated with initial operational capability expected in October 2010. The U.S. Air Force had planned the C-27J's first combat deployment for summer 2011.

In August 2011, two C-27J aircraft flown by Air National Guard personnel with Army National Guard personnel began operations at Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan. From August to December 2011, the C-27Js of the 179th Airlift Wing transported some 400 tons of cargo, and over 6,900 passengers in more than 900 missions. By exercising tactical control of the C-27Js, the U.S. Army was able to employ helicopters in a much more efficient fashion, splitting missions between the two platforms to make best use of the strengths of each.

The U.S. Army had indicated that a fleet of 54 aircraft posed a moderate risk to mission fulfillment in 2005; the USAF has moved to cancel the program entirely in early 2012. On 26 January 2012, the U.S. Department of Defense announced plans to remove all 38 C-27Js on order from the U.S. Air Force's inventory as their niche capabilities are too expensive. The C-27J's duties are to be taken by the U.S. Air Force's C-130s. In February 2012, Alenia warned that it would not provide support for C-27Js resold by the United States. In March 2012, it was reported that the U.S. Coast Guard is considering taking over the aircraft from the U.S. Air Force. On 23 March 2012, the U.S. Air Force announced that it will cut the C-27J from its inventory in fiscal year 2013 after determining that its per-aircraft lifecycle costs are higher than those of C-130 aircraft performing the same combat resupply mission.

As of April 2012, the USAF is continuing to shut down the program, in anticipation that Congress will support its budget request to do so. In July 2012 the entire fleet was grounded due to a flight control system failure.

In November 2012, the C-27J deployed for its first domestic United States mission as part of the Hurricane Sandy relief effort.