Initial Flight Operations To Begin In About Six Months

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) will acquire 14 Alenia Aermacchi C-27Js as part of an intra-service transfer from the United States Air Force (USAF). The transfer was approved on December 19 through the Congressional passage of the 2014 National Defense Authorization Act and formally signed into law by President Obama on December 26.

Additionally, the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) will obtain a total of seven of the aircraft. Alenia Aermacchi said in a news release that SOCOM is currently in possession of three fully operational aircraft, while the remaining four aircraft are completing final assembly modifications. SOCOM is expected to receive all seven C-27Js by April 2014. Within SOCOM, the aircraft will be operated by the U.S. Army Special Operations Command.

The law allows 14 of the current USAF C-27Js, at least some of which are currently in storage in Arizona, to be promptly transferred to the USCG with initial flight operations commencing within 6-12 months. The aircraft will be used for medium range surveillance USCG missions such as maritime patrol, drug and migrant interdiction, disaster response, and search and rescue. The company also anticipates the USCG will immediately begin the process for expanding the C-27J’s capabilities with tailored mission kits to include surface-search radars, electro-optical sensors and mission suites installed on all 14 planes.

The aircraft represent a highly efficient, cost-effective solution to the USCG’s Deepwater recapitalization program and reinforce the C-27J’s proven adaptability, maneuverability, and speed for maritime and search and rescue missions. “The C-27J will play an important role in improving the response capability and operational effectiveness of the USCG and generating significant cost savings for the taxpayer. With this transfer, the USCG will receive an aircraft with the advanced medium surveillance capabilities needed to further enhance its ability to perform critical missions.

The C-27J will provide the USCG with greater range, endurance, speed and payload capacity than other twin turboprops in its inventory, and the capability to perform both medium and long-range missions,” said Benjamin Stone, president and chief executive officer of Alenia Aermacchi’s North American business unit.

(C-27J pictured in file photo)

FMI: www.uscg.mil, www.socom.mil