Finmeccanica-Alenia Aermacchi wins USCG C-27J training contract

The US Coast Guard (USCG) has awarded a contract to Finmeccanica-Alenia Aermacchi to offer training services for first cadre members who would fly the recently procured C-27J Spartan aircraft.

As part of the contract, the company will be responsible for delivering in-class sessions, flight simulation instruction, and in-flight training for Coast Guard pilots and loadmasters, further assisting service men and women effectively carryout their missions on the C-27J.

The coast guard received 14 C-27Js under the 2014 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) from the US Air Force, which will now be deployed for medium-range surveillance missions including maritime patrol, drug and migrant interdiction, disaster response, and search and rescue.

The training services offered under the contract would boost response capability and operational effectiveness for the US Coast Guard.

Powered by two 4,637shp Rolls-Royce AE 2100D3 turboshaft engines, the C-27J tactical transport aircraft offers maximum cruise speed of 602km/h, in addition to a 1,852km range.

The aircraft’s two-pilot cockpit is night-vision-goggle (NVG) compatible and its electronic flight instrumentation system (EFIS) integrates five liquid crystal head-down colour displays.

Developed by Lockheed Martin Alenia Tactical Transport Systems (LMATTS), the Spartan is capable of performing 3g tactical airlift operations under severe conditions, while its navigation and night piloting systems enable flying just above tree height even at night.

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