Rolls-Royce signs $900M exclusive power systems agreement with Alenia Aeronautica for C-27J military transport aircraft

Rolls-Royce today signed a nine-year, $900 million agreement with Alenia Aeronautica to be the exclusive propulsion system provider for the C-27J Spartan medium-lift transport aircraft.

The twin-engined C-27J is powered by AE 2100D2 turboprop engines with Rolls-Royce responsible for the propulsion system provider of both the engine and the Dowty six-blade propeller assemblies.

This agreement builds upon a 2006 contract with Alenia Aeronautica for 42 propulsion systems, bringing the total guaranteed volume to 155. In addition, 78 C-27J aircraft and up to 180 engines were placed under contract by the US Armed Forces’s Joint Cargo Aircraft programme in 2007 with potential volumes of up to145 aircraft to be delivered.

Dennis Jarvi, President of Defense North America for Rolls-Royce, said: “This agreement further strengthens the partnership that has been forged with Alenia Aeronautica to ensure the success of the C-27J Spartan programme globally. It also confirms the company’s position as the world leader in the supply of propulsion systems for military transport aircraft.”

Antonio Perfetti, Alenia Aeronautica Chief Operating Officer said: “The Rolls-Royce engines, together with the state-of-the-art avionics and systems, contributes to the outstanding performance, operational flexibility and cost effectiveness of the C-27J. The Spartan is the only medium-lift military aircraft available in its class that is interoperable with heavier airlifters and can also deliver the speed, range, payload and load compartment volume capabilities our customers require.”

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 addition to the United States, the C-27J is also in service in Italy, Greece, Bulgaria and Lithuania and has been ordered by Romania.