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G.222/ C-27A
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The Afghanistan National Army Air Corps (ANAAC) is just getting to its feet, with about 6 flyable AN-32s and a pair of AN-26 light transport aircraft, about 38 Mi-17 assault transports and Mi-35 attack helicopters combined, and a small fleet of L-39 trainer/ light attack aircraft. Many of its pilots are older men, and ANAAC has not graduated a new pilot since 1992.

An 8-year plan has been drawn up to begin training a new crop of pilots, and expand the air force. The ultimate goal is a force that can support the Afghan Army against al-Qaeda/ Taliban elements that launch raids within the country, or from across the border with Pakistan. Given Afghanistan’s rugged terrain and sparse infrastructure, however, a decision has been made to make tactical transportation of troops and supplies ANACC’s top priority. This explains US NAVAIR’s efforts to secure the Ukrainian AN-32s, which offered familiar technology even though the spares situation is less than ideal.

Now a 3-way deal has been made involving Italy, which will send some of its Alenia G.222 (C-27A) light transports to Afghanistan, after a refurbishment program conducted by Alenia North America. The latest updates include the roll-out of the first refurbished aircraft, and an adjustment contract…

• The ANAAC’s C-27A Program
• Contracts and Key Events

The ANAAC’s C-27A Program

USAF C-27A
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The Afghan program currently includes 18 aircraft in a standardized operational configuration, as well as the modules to convert 2 aircraft to a VIP Transport configuration if required.

The USAF has operated C-27As in the past, but Afghan aircraft are all former Italian Air Force machines built from 1977 – 1985 to different production standards, which Alenia Aeronautica bought back at the time of Italy’s C-27J purchase. Because of the different configurations, the contract stipulates that all aircraft be brought to common avionics and systems configuration, including a new autopilot and ballistic protection.

The G.222/C-27A was not known as an easy aircraft to maintain, but it does feature outstanding short runway performance, and offers proven performance in hot weather and high altitudes. The spares and maintenance issue is being addressed through the program via extensive training through the US military, an initial spare parts inventory, ground support equipment, technical publications in English and Dari, and 3 years worth of contractor logistics support.

Contracts and Key Events

ITAF MM.62145, refurbished
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Sept 29/09: Alenia North America, Incorporated of Washington, DC receives a $7.1 million contract pertaining to the acquisition of 18 refurbished G.222/C-27A aircraft to support the Afghan National Army Air Corps. At this time, the entire amount has been committed by the 330th ACSG/GFKA at Robins Air Force Base, GA (FA8504-08-C-0007, P00002).

Sept 25/09: Alenia Aeronautica delivers the first of 18 C-27A aircraft at Capodichino, Italy.

July 30/09: The first G.222 aircraft returns to flight, one month after its roll-out and 9 months since the start of its overhaul and upgrade. The G.222 makes a 2 hour flight from Capodichino, after which it will continue a test program before delivery to the USAF. Deliveries are planned to continue at a rate of approximately 1 aircraft per month until 2011. Source.

Sept 5/09: The USAF reports that test pilots, engineers and ground crews from Alenia North America have performed an initial test flight of the first C-27A destined for Afghanistan. Initial deliveries remain on schedule for late September 2009, and C-27As are expected to be added to the Afghan National Army Air Corps’ fleet of 7 AN-26/32 aircraft in November 2009.

The transition to the C-27A is already underway. Over the past three months, 30 Afghan Antonov AN-26/32 pilots traveled to San Antonio to attend English Language Training and Specialized English Training at the Defense Language Institute. After completing of up to 8 months of language training, the Afghan pilots attend an 8-week instrument flight rules course in San Antonio, to obtain an International Civil Aviation Organization IFR certification. Then, 10 U.S. pilots will teach the new students C-27A transition training.

July 23/09: Officials from the Kabul Air Corps Training Center’s Air University certify 8 Afghans after a 3-month basic loadmaster course July 23. Training included weight and balance theory, loading operations, passenger handling and forklift certification. This was the first loadmaster class conducted for the Afghan Air Corps in more than 30 years, and 8 U.S. mentors provided specific loadmaster training to the recent graduates. Air University BLM course instructor Faizadeen Abadi is quoted as saying that:

“The C-27(A) will be good for Afghanistan because it’s much easier to load. The roller system increased capability for loading equipment access to the aircraft, and the capacity to transport larger tactical vehicles are outstanding attributes of the aircraft.”

Sept 29/08: Alenia North America, Inc. of Washington, DC receives a not-to-exceed $287 million firm-fixed-price contract. The program currently includes 18 aircraft in a standardized operational configuration, as well as the modules to convert 2 aircraft to a VIP Transport configuration if required.

The Italian Air Force will provide the aircraft from its own inventory, and they will be refurbished and delivered to Afghanistan through the USAF’s Combined Air Power Transition Force based in Kabul. The C-27As will be delivered commencing in 2009, with deliveries continuing through 2011. Finmeccanica release [PDF] | Defense News | See also USAF’s Jan 2008 article: “General shares successes, challenges of Afghan air corps”.