Aircraft
Alenia C-27J Wins Australian Airlift Contest
The C-27J flies over Sydney Harbour during demonstrations to the RAAF, which has now ordered 10. (Photo: Alenia)
The C-27J flies over Sydney Harbour during demonstrations to the RAAF, which has now ordered 10. (Photo: Alenia)

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) chose the Alenia C-27J Spartan to replace a fleet of 14 DHC-4 Caribou STOL airlifters that have already been retired. The 10-aircraft deal will be conducted via the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) system, with L-3 acting as the prime contractor. Alenia and L-3 formed a partnership to sell the C-27J to the U.S. armed forces. The RAAF also evaluated the EADS CN-295 for the Air 8000 requirement.