Preserving capacity, General Tom Lawson, Chief of the Defence Staff, Keys to Canadian SAR
Issue link: http://vanguardcanada.uberflip.com/i/622654
f fWsar 14 DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016 www.vanguardcanada.com roll-on/roll-off multi-mission capabilities "It is a powerful and robust plane," says the Peruvian Air Force's Col. Alejandro Marusic Caceda, of the C-27 J. "It can take off from a short runway and can climb rapidly to the maximum cruise ceiling of 30,000 feet while carrying heavy payload." He also likes the large and tall cabin of the aircraft. The C-27J has a maximum cabin height of 2.60 metres which makes it easier for the crew to work while standing upright. Col. Caceda says the C-27J is perfect for operation in the moun- tainous regions of Peru. The South American country signed for two of light tactical aircraft in 2013 and bought another two in 2014. Peru is looking to replace its fleet of 12 aging Soviet-era Antonov AN 32s. As of September 2014, 76 units of the aircraft have been or- dered by 12 forces around the world including the U.S. Special Operations Command (7), the U.S. Coast Guard (14), the Roy- al Australian Air Force (10), the Italian Air Force (12) and the Greek Air Force (8), among others. The U.S. version of the aircraft is a comprehensive "C3-ISR/ ISTAR" and a fire support platform capable of quick reconfigura- tion to enable performance of multiple missions while maintain- ing primary airlift capability. Lucas says the Canadian version of the C-27J will share "a lot of commonalities" with the U.S. Coast Guard and Royal Australian Air Force aircrafts although Team Spartan is updating the base- line configuration to include additional capabilities and function- alities. The enhancements will contain upgrades to avionics and performance such as a new management systems, extra power for the engines and an increased maximum takeoff weight. The FWSAR-specific modifications include: • Mission systems pallet from General Dynamics Mission Systems Canada with two operator and two crew seats from Martin Baker • SeaSpray 7500 search radar supplied by Selex ES and Radome from IMP Aerospace • MX-15 EO/IR turret supplied by L-3 Wescam • Additional observation windows on the paratrooper doors from Airdyne • Two flare launchers on the fuselage supplied by Airdyne • Internal layout designed by IMP Aerospace • Iridium satellite from FLYHT Aerospace • ATC radios from Rockwell Collins canadian content General Dynamics Mission Systems Canada will act as Team Spar- tan's mission systems integrator. It will modify the aircraft to accept high-tech sensors and the computers that manage them. The compa- ny will also serve as the in-service support integrator for the program. The training development team of military communications and electro-optics firm DRS Technologies Canada Ltd., will design, oversea and manage the creation and maintenance of all course- ware and training aids for the duration of the contract. Kelowna, B.C. aviation services company KF Aerospace, which specializes in heavy aircraft maintenance and modifications will provide Team Spartan with maintenance, supply chain and repair engineering ISS as well as pilot and maintenance training manage- ment support for the C-27J. "The C-27J will be modified, missionized and supported in At- lantic Canada," says Lucas. Max. cruise ........................................ 325 KTAS Max std. cruise ceiling ................... 30,000 ft. Max. engine power .......................... 4637 SHP Ferry range ....................................... 3160 NM Range (10 tons P/L) .......................... 900 NM Range (6 tons) ................................. 1850 NM Steep descent capability ..........4,000 ft./min Time to climb to 10,000ft ..................... 5 min Time to descend from 10,000ft ........2.5 min Takeoff ground range (30.5 tons)....... 580m Landing ground range (29 tons) .......... 375m Cabin height .............................................2.6m Max. cabin width ......................................3.3m Cabin volume .........................................69m 3 Max. takeoff weight ......................... 31,800kg Max. payload .....................................11,100kg Max. landing weight ..................... 30,5000kg Floor strength per unit length..... 4,900kg/m Lightly equipped paratroopers ........ 46 to 60 Stretchers and medical assistants ...... 36+6 C-27J baseline configuration