iscover
In 2015, the first of 10 C-27J Spartans landed in Australia and met with an unenviable task: to replace RAAF’s adored fleet of Caribous. Operated by No. 35 Squadron from RAAF Base Amberley, the 30,500kg air mobility aircraft is designed to nestle into the sweet spot between the country’s smaller CH-47F Chinooks and larger C-130J Hercules and C-17A Globemaster IIIs.
It’s significant advantage, though, like the Caribou, is its ability to land on smaller runways with lower pavement classification numbers – that’s weaker dirt strips, to you and me. It means it can access up to 1,900 airfields in Australia compared to around 500 for the C-130J.
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Mark Goodman
says:This aircraft has been a good choice in terms of replacing the Caribou. Would like to have read an example of a mission undertaken. Reportedly the UK are taking a number of C130J out of service. Is this an opportunity for Australia to increase the fleet.
Ray
says:While it is a nice photo no.7 is a USMC KC-130
Murray Howlett
says:If No.7 is a KC-130 then it has certainly been on a diet – losing a couple of engines in the process.
No.10 however is definitely not a C-27 – too many engines and they are all jets.