Air Force, Coast Guard talk C-27J deal

[Ordie]

well yeah there is that so quit a predicament. Unless the Us pulls it weight with Canada and other allies to soothe Alenia

It's akin to the Northrop F-20 situation.
Many countries were intrested and willing to buy, but without the USAF (Air National Guard) purchase, the whole thing fell through.

[marktigger]

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/...yed-again.html

another potential customer for surplus aircraft

[Steak-Sauce]

The more I read about it, the more weird does this whole C-27J story become.

What an ugly situation all involved seem to be in. The Army is losing its transport (and before that, getting the numbers cut down), Alenia is losing orders and refuses to maintain US-sold C-27J (rightly so, imho!), and the USAF has a hard time explaining its recent decision.

[Ordie]

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/...yed-again.html

another potential customer for surplus aircraft

Viking Aircraft of BC, has licensing rights to re-start the Buffalo line.

[marktigger]

It would be nice to see New Buffalo for a variety of airforces!

[BogT]

But the C-295 is cheaper due to the larger numbers and manufacture support.
If the USAF refuses them, then nations will rethink the C-27 and opt for the C-295.

I thought the reason why the C-27 was preferred over the C-295, was due to its ability to carry the standard NATO 463L pallets (3.5) and up to two HMMWVs.
That and the fact that is shares its engines with NATO's work-hose, the C-130.

The C-27 always made sense to me. Even US must have transports for which the C-130 is overkill. The C-27 just gave more flexibility and potentially saved money (no need to carry ice-cream and fresh vegetables in a half empty C-130).
I somewhat understand the desire to cut their purchase (urgent needed short term budget savings vs. long term savings), but it's a shame nonetheless.

[Dankster]

The USAF decision is a textboot example of an inter-service pissing match.

I hope they do hand them off the Coasties, at least the purchase wouldn't be a total bust.

[Ordie]

The USAF decision is a textboot example of an inter-service pissing match.

I hope they do hand them off the Coasties, at least the purchase wouldn't be a total bust.

The Coast Guard already operates the HC-144A (C-235).

Being the smallest of all services, I don't think they want another dissimilar aircraft type.

Best option is to give it to the State's ANG/NG units who could supplement the C-130 with the C-27J at a lower cost.

[Steak-Sauce]

Best option is to give it to the State's ANG/NG units who could supplement the C-130 with the C-27J at a lower cost.

I thought the National Guard is the sole US operator of the C-27J, and that the aircraft was bought for the exact same reasons to begin with: supplement of C-130 at a lower cost.

[Ardaingeal]

I thought the National Guard is the sole US operator of the C-27J, and that the aircraft was bought for the exact same reasons to begin with: supplement of C-130 at a lower cost.

Yep. And the ANG certainly isn't happy about the cuts: http://www.defensenews.com/article/2...text|FRONTPAGE

[Dominique]

Best option is to give it to the State's ANG/NG units who could supplement the C-130 with the C-27J at a lower cost.

Which was part of the original plan. the C-27Js were supposed to start replacing the Sherpa's currently in use by the Guard, but the USAF made sure that wouldn't happen.

[Cal_Zephyr]

.
The Aussies don't want to be a one off customer stuck with a C-27 fleet with limited spares and inter-operability. They had enough of that experience with the Caribou.

IIRC, Afghan AF and Italy are flying the type.

[junglejim]

That is hardly promising Cal. Having the USAF behind your product does wonders in terms of long term profitability of the venture. Other countries see long term viability of your aircraft through American demand. Not having that and you are reliant to just the company instead, so what if it folds up where are you going to get spares?

[boreal]

IIRC, Afghan AF and Italy are flying the type.

Afghan air force is flying overhauled AMI G-222´s from the early 80´s.

[Ordie]

This is why the NG/ANG needs a seat on the Joint Chiefs of Staff.