Tue, Nov 04, 2008
Predecessors To Today's Spartans Refurbished With New Avionics,
Interiors
The refurbishment and modernization of 18 G.222s, purchased by
the United States Air Force and destined for the re-established
Afghan Air Force, has begun at Alenia Aeronautica’s
Capodichino plant in Naples.
On September 30, Alenia North America signed a $287 million
contract to provide 18 refurbished and modernized G.222 aircraft.
The aircraft were previously in service with the Italian Air Force
and reacquired by Alenia Aeronautica in conjunction with the
Italian Air Force’s acquisition of a new fleet of C-27J
Spartans.
The aircraft are to be modernized at Capodichino with state of
the art avionics and general improvements according to the specific
requirements of the United States Air Force. Two of these craft
will be outfitted for a VIP soundproof module and equipped with
seats, desks and a pantry so as to be used for the transport of
Afghan leaders.
Four G.222s, sent from Pisa and Pratica di Mare air bases, have
already arrived at Capodichino to begin the refurbishment and
modernization process. The eighteen G.222s to be provided to the
Afghan National Army Air Corps were produced between 1977 and 1985
in several avionic and cockpit configurations. As part of the
modernization effort, all 18 will be upgraded to a standard avionic
and system configuration, with a new autopilot system, ballistic
protection and new maintenance operations. The refurbishment and
modernizations are anticipated to last between 12 and 15 months per
aircraft.
The first refurbished and modernized G.222 will be delivered to
the Combined Security Transition Command in Afghanistan halfway
through 2009 and the entire supply will be complete by 2011.
Today's version of the G.222, the C-27J Spartan, was recently
selected by the US Army and Air Force for the Joint Cargo Aircraft
(JCA) Program.
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