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Encyclopedia :
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Alenia G.222 |
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Alenia G.222The Alenia G.222 (Alenia originally Aeritalia) is a medium-sized STOL military transport aircraft. It was originally developed to meet a NATO specification, but Italy was initially the only NATO member to adopt the type. Decades later, the United States purchased a small number of G.222s, designating them the C-27 Spartan after much modification.The G.222 is of typical configuration for aircraft of its type, with high-mounted wings, twin turboprop engines, and a rear loading ramp. The cargo deck is sized to accommodate standard 463L pallets, has a door in the floor for airdropping, a built-in oxygen delivery system for medivac operations, and platforms at the side doors for paratroop deployment.
DevelopmentIn 1962, NATO issued a specification for a V/STOL transport aircraft (NATO Basic Military Requirement 4), but none of the various submissions resulted in a production contract. The Italian Air Force, however, felt that the Aeritalia proposal was worthy of development and ordered two prototypes plus a ground-test airframe in 1968. These aircraft were slightly simplified from Aeritalia's original proposal. The first prototype flew on July 18 1970 and the Air Force began evaluating the two prototypes at the end of December 1971. Testing proved highly successful, and a contract for 44 aircraft was issued, the first entering service in April 1978. VariantsG.222TCMTwo prototypes for the Italian Air Force G.222RM(Radiumissura - "radio measurements") Radio/radar calibration aircraft G.222SAA(Sistema Aeronautico Antincendio - "aeronautical fire-fighting system") Fire-fighter equipped for dumping water or fire retardant chemicals. Four built for Italian Air Force G.222SAMAFire-fighter G.222TVersion powered by the Rolls-Royce Tyne for the Libyan Air Force. Sometimes designated G.222L G.222VS(Versione Speciale - "special version") ECM version - 2 built for Italian Air Force C-27A SpartanIn 1990, the United States Air Force selected the G.222 as the basis of a "Rapid-Response Intra-Theater Airlifter" (RRITA). A total of ten G.222s were purchased and underwent avionics upgrades by Chrysler. These aircraft were stationed at Howard AFB, Panama, but were withdrawn from service in 1999 . C-27J SpartanIn 1997, Alenia and Lockheed Martin formed Lockheed Martin Alenia Tactical Transport Systems for the development of an advanced version of the G.222 with advanced avionics, a glass cockpit and new engines, the same Rolls-Royce AE 2100s that power the C-130J Hercules . The C-27J has a 35% increase in range and a 30% increase in service ceiling over the original G.222. The Italian Air Force has ordered twelve aircraft. UsersSpecifications (G.222)General CharacteristicsPerformanceRelated ContentComparable Aircraft: Transall C-160 -Antonov An-72 Designation Sequence (US):
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