Lockheed Martin and venture partner, Alenia Aeronautica, were advised Friday that the Hellenic government has selected the C-27J Spartan for its new Greek Medium Range Transport Aircraft (MRTA) program.

"We're extremely pleased with the decision of the Hellenic Government to select the C-27J to meet its military airlift requirements," said Stan Yackel, C-27J program director at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. (LM Aero). "The decision is the result of a detailed technical and operational evaluation that proved the Spartan to be the overall best value among the aircraft being considered."

The procurement calls for 12 aircraft with an option for three additional aircraft. It could have an estimated value to Lockheed Martin of up to $200 million. Actual contract value and production schedule will be determined after final contract negotiations.

The C-27J Spartan is based on the proven twin-engine C-27A/G.222 airlifter. It has the same dimensions as the C-27A/G.222, but with substantially improved performance and a digital 1553B based integrated avionics suite. The C-27J incorporates the same propulsion system and advanced technology that is used on the C-130J Hercules, including Rolls Royce AE2100 engines with six-blade Dowty composite propellers, advanced avionics and a new glass cockpit.

The Italian Air Force earlier decided to procure the C-27J and is in the final stages of releasing the contract for 12 aircraft. Several other potential customers worldwide are also evaluating the Spartan.

"The Greek decision, together with the Italian program, establishes the C-27J as the world's leading twin-engine military airlifter," said Dennys Plessas, LM Aero vice president of Business Development Initiatives. "We welcome the Hellenic Air Force to the C-27J team and look forward to concluding negotiations, and delivering and supporting the aircraft."

Other aircraft competing for the MRTA were the EADS-CASA C-295 and CN-235.

The C-27J Spartan was jointly developed by Lockheed Martin Aeronautics and Alenia Aeronautica S.p.A., a subsidiary of Finmeccanica S.p.A. of Rome, Italy. First flight of the C-27J Spartan was on 24 September 1999 at Alenia Aeronautica's flight test center in Turin, Italy. The C-27J was Civil Type Certified to JAR 25 in June 2001 and received Military Type Certification by Italy's Ministry of Defense in December 2001.

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company is a leader in the design, development, systems integration, production and support of advanced military aircraft and related technologies. Its customers include the military services of the United States and allied countries throughout the world. Products include the F-16, F-22, C-130, C-5, P-3, S-3, F-117, U-2, and Joint Strike Fighter, among other renowned aircraft.

LM Aeronautics is a unit of Lockheed Martin Corporation headquartered in Bethesda, Md., and is a global enterprise principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced-technology systems, products and services. The corporation's core businesses are systems integration, space, aeronautics, and technology services.

For information on Lockheed Martin Corporation, visit: http://www.lockheedmartin.com/

For information on Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, visit: http://www.lmaeronautics.com/

MAKE YOUR OPINION COUNT - Click Here
http://tbutton.prnewswire.com/prn/11690X05540714

SOURCE: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company