March 24, 2017 —
The Coast Guard’s C-27J Spartans will be redesignated as HC-27Js once integration of specialized mission systems is complete. The aircraft that will serve as the prototype for mission systems integration has yet to be selected. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Chief Petty Officer NyxoLyno Cangemi.
The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) on March 16 awarded a contract worth approximately $4 million to Leonardo SpA of Rome for engineering services related to missionization of the Coast Guard’s C-27J Spartan medium range surveillance aircraft.
Missionization refers to the process of integrating specialized equipment to expand the aircraft’s capabilities and enhance their ability to carry out Coast Guard missions. Under the contract, Leonardo will provide mission system engineering and design support.
“This effort represents a huge first step in a very important relationship with the original aircraft manufacturer to support missionization,” said Lt. Cmdr. Bart Philpott, deputy program manager for the C-27J acquisition. The contract award is a step toward future efforts involving the sharing of design tasks using technical data.
NAVAIR is the lead systems integrator for the C-27J missionization. NAVAIR’s Naval Air Warfare Center – Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) AIRWorks team will provide programmatic and technical support to the Coast Guard and manage the integration process onsite at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland.
“This is an important milestone for the project. NAWCAD AIRWorks is looking forward to working with Leonardo to greatly improve the capability of the U.S. Coast Guard’s critical maritime patrol aircraft,” said Brandi Simpson, project manager for the C-27J missionization effort.
The contract covers roughly six months’ worth of work in what will be a multiyear process. The aircraft that will become the prototype for C-27J missionization will be transferred to Naval Air Station Patuxent River this fall.
For more information: Medium Range Surveillance Aircraft program page