By Bill Oliver
Greenville, TX –
Greenville-based L-3 Communications Integrated Systems has announced another major military contract. L-3 is the lead manufacturer on a deal worth over than $2 billion dollars from the Army and Air Force to build the C-27-J joint cargo aircraft. The L-3 facility in Greenville is not involved. Work begins almost immediately and will last five years at L-3 plants in Arlington, Waco, and six other states. 78 aircraft will be built.
Here is the L-3 news release with details:
L-3 Communications (NYSE: LLL) announced today the award of a baseline contract estimated at $2.04 billion over the life of the program to supply a minimum of 78 C-27J Joint Cargo Aircraft (JCA) to the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force. The winning C-27J team is led by L-3's Integrated Systems (L-3 IS) Group and includes Alenia North America (a Finmeccanica Company), Boeing Integrated Defense Systems (NYSE: BA) and Global Military Aircraft Systems (GMAS).
We are extremely proud of the C-27J JCA Team, said Michael T. Strianese, President and Chief Executive Officer of L-3 Communications. This award enhances our well-established expertise as an aircraft systems integrator of critical aircraft serving our military and allies. Our team's approach meets the needs of the warfighter.
We are very pleased with the selection and acknowledgement that the C-27J aircraft represents the best value for the government. It is a proud day for L-3 and we look forward to a long term partnership with the Army and Air Force in support of this mission, said Bob Drewes, President and Chief Operating Officer of L-3 Integrated Systems Group.
The JCA program is a Joint Service program designed to fill a critical gap that exists today in intra-theater airlift support for U.S. troops on the ground. Experience in overseas combat operations has demonstrated that America needs an improved capability for medium airlift inside combat theaters and in support of the Global War on Terrorism. The C-27J is a multi-mission cargo aircraft that will fill the current capability gap in joint aerial delivery based on its ability to transport critical cargo and personnel, self-deploy over strategic distances, land in austere locations, operate autonomously, and provide routine and combat aerial sustainment to the joint force. The C-27J will replace the U.S. Army's C-23 Sherpas, C-26 and various C-12 aircraft, and will augment the U.S. Air Force's existing fleet of intra-theater airlifters. The aircraft will play a key role in providing responsive aerial sustainment, critical re-supply, MEDEVAC, troop transport, airdrop operations, humanitarian assistance and missions in support of Homeland Security.
Today's announcement is the result of a real partnership between American and Italian aerospace companies, said Giuseppe Giordo, President and Chief Executive Officer of Alenia North America. This decision also indicates that the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force both recognize the unique capabilities of our C-27J aircraft, our team and our JCA offering as a whole.
The C-27J Spartan is the latest in a successful tradition of military airlifters, including the C-27A Spartan and the G-222, which have been deployed by the United States, NATO, Coalition Forces, the United Nations and Italy in support of military and humanitarian operations around the world. Similarly, C-27A Spartans are currently carrying out vital counter-drug activities for the United States in Central and South America.