C-27J business worth more than $500 million to Rolls-Royce

Rolls-Royce has been selected as the propulsion system provider for C-27J medium transports for the Joint Cargo Aircraft (JCA) programme for the US Army and US Air Force. The business, including engines and aftermarket services, will be worth more than $500 million over the life of the JCA programme.

The twin-engine C-27J Spartan aircraft will be powered by Rolls-Royce AE 2100D2 turboprop engines.

The initial contract award includes up to 78 C-27J aircraft and up to 180 engines. The total contract value for the aircraft is more than $2 billion. The Army and Air Force have announced previously they may purchase up to 145 aircraft in the JCA programme.

Dennis Jarvi, President Defense North America for Rolls-Royce, said: “Rolls-Royce has a long history as the leading propulsion provider for military transport aircraft and this selection demonstrates our continued success in that segment of the aerospace industry. These powerplants are among the most sophisticated and high-tech engines in military aviation and will provide the power, flexibility and range our customers require to complete their missions.”

The aircraft will be produced by a team including L-3 Integrated Systems Group, Alenia North America (a Finmeccanica Company), Boeing Integrated Defense Systems, Global Military Aircraft Systems (GMAS) and Rolls-Royce.

The C-27J is a mid-range, multifunctional and interoperable aircraft, able to perform logistical re-supply, MEDEVAC, troop movement, airdrop operations, humanitarian assistance and homeland security missions in support of Homeland Security for the US Army and US Air Force.

The C-27J will replace the US Army’s C-23 Sherpas, C-12 and C-26 aircraft and augment the US Air Forces’ existing fleet of intratheatre airlifters. The aircraft will play a key role in providing responsive aerial sustainment and critical re-supply support.