G.222 運輸機

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.

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).

Two prototypes for the Italian Air Force

[编辑] G.222RM

(Radiomisura - "radio measurements") Radio/radar calibration aircraft

[编辑] G.222SAA

(Sistema Aeronautico Antincendio - "aeronautical fire-fighting system") Fire-fighter equipped for dumping water or fire retardant chemicals. Four built for Italian Air Force

[编辑] G.222SAMA

Fire-fighter

[编辑] G.222T

Version powered by the Rolls-Royce Tyne for the Libyan Air Force. Sometimes designated G.222L

[编辑] G.222VS

(Versione Speciale - "special version") ECM version - 2 built for Italian Air Force. Sometimes designated G.222GE.

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 These aircraft were stationed at Howard AFB, Panama, but were withdrawn from service in 1999 due to high maintenance costs.

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 have 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, along with Boeing Integrated Defense Systems, is currently promoting the C-27J heavily for selection as the U.S. Army and Air Force's Joint Cargo Aircraft (JCA), competing with Raytheon and EADS North America's the CN-235/295. Both the U.S. Army and Air Force JCA orders combined are expected to top 100 aircraft. The JCA will eventually replace the existing C-23 Sherpa and C-12 Huron.^[1]

By November, 2006, the C-27J had completed the U.S. Department of Defense's Early User Survey evaluations, flying 26 hours and surpassing all the JCA program requirements. The team also announced that if the C-27J is selected for the JCA, a production and final assembly facility would be built at Cecil Field, Duval County, Florida. Final selection of the JCA is expected to be announced in March, 2007.

As of January, 2007, the C-27J was being considered as a sole-source contract by the Government of Canada as a future replacement for its current search and rescue airfleet, the contract being worth approximately $3-billion CDN.