Northrop Grumman wins RAAF C-27J fleet support contract.

Northrop Grumman continues to enhance its business and geographic footprint within Australia to improve sovereign capability, capacity and support services. The C-27J TLS program directly supports Northrop Grumman’s vision to develop Australian talent and capabilities in keeping with the Australian Defence Industry initiative.

“This program represents the strategic foundation for Northrop Grumman upon which we can build sovereign Australian capabilities to sustain and modernize the 5th Generation Air Force of the future,” said Ian Irving, chief executive, Northrop Grumman Australia. “It allows us to deliver on our commitment to establish and grow a uniquely Australian defence capability while leveraging our world-class defence technologies and global infrastructure.”

Northrop Grumman’s TLS experience with platforms such as KC-30A helps ensure the C-27J program performance will align with the customer’s evolving needs and bring a higher level of platform stewardship to the program. Teaming with Leonardo, the original equipment manufacturer for the aircraft, allows Northrop Grumman to reduce primary risks to data access, design engineering support and supply chain management.

The RAAF is acquiring a fleet of 10 C-27J Spartan transport aircraft to provide a battlefield airlift capability for the Australian Defence Force. Delivered between mid-2015 and early 2018, the aircraft are operated by No. 35 Squadron from RAAF Base Richmond, with the fleet moving to RAAF Base Amberley in early 2019. The Spartan is intended to complement Army's rotary-wing helicopter fleet in support of Defence frontline operations, including Peacekeeping missions, and also provide support to Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief operations in Australia and the wider Asia Pacific region.