The process to try and turn the Air Force's loss of a fleet of cargo aircraft into the Coast Guard's gain is expected to begin shortly with a formal request from the sea service.
At stake is a force of 21 C-27J Spartan medium transport aircraft. The Air Force has asked to cancel the $1.6 billion program as a budget move, but the Coast Guard has a need for planes of that type, and is hoping to boost its air fleet with an unexpected windfall.
Adm. Bob Papp, commandant of the Coast Guard, said Tuesday at the Navy League's Sea-Air-Space symposium outside Washington, D.C., that he would soon be given a briefing on the business case to acquire the C-27Js and operate them alongside existing C-130 Hercules and smaller HC-144A Ocean Sentry maritime surveillance and patrol aircraft.
Papp said he would ask his parent Department of Homeland Security to acquire the Spartans from the Defense Department based on the business case analysis. He noted the C-27J and C-130J aircraft use the same engines.
Under the current contract, the Air Force had planned to buy 21 C-27Js from Alenia Aermacchi. Twelve aircraft have been delivered, four are in test mode and five are in production.
Lawmakers have questioned the Air Force's estimate of savings generated by scrapping the aircraft, which are among the newest operated by the service.
Photo Credit to Alenia Aermacchi Corporation web site
By Christopher P. Cavas - Staff writer - The Military Times
Article Supplied by William Goess, Auxiliarist, Flot. 12-07, 1SR
Article Supplied by William Goess, Auxiliarist, Flot. 12-07, 1SR