US Delivers Deal for New Cargo Aircraft

The US Army and Air force have signed a deal for the construction of new military aircraft that will replace the US Army's C-23 Sherpas, C-12 and C-26 cargo aircraft.

Called the C-27 Spartan, the craft will be designed for use in logistical resupply, MEDEVAC, troop movement, airdrop operations, humanitarian assistance and homeland security missions for both the US Army and Air Force.

The new craft is expected to fill a current gap in the area of midrange multifunctional and interoperable joint aerial delivery. It will work alongside the army's current intratheatre airlifters, and will be a critical part in ensuring the military's operational momentum.

A consortium lead by defence technology company L-3 Communications, which includes assembly company Alenia North America and boeing Integrated Defence Systems will lead the construction of the aircraft.