The Hercules will soon be augmented by the C-27J Spartan Light Transport Aircraft recently selected by the U.S. Army and the U.S. Air Force for the Joint Cargo Aircraft (JCA) program. The aircraft was designed by the Italian company Alenia Aeronautica (from the Finmeccanica group). The aircraft will be built and supported in the US by a team led by the L-3 Communications group, with team members Boeing Integrated Defense Systems (IDS), and Global Military Aircraft Systems (GMAS). The aircraft is a medium range, multifunctional transport aircraft, designed for logistical resupply missions, medical evacuation, troops transport and airdrop operations. The aircraft will support U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force operations, including force projection, humanitarian assistance and homeland security. The Spartan will replace the Shorts C-23 Sherpas, C-12 and C-26 aircraft.
