The Royal Saudi Naval Pressure will obtain 4 C-27Js within the new Maritime Patrol Variant, with deliveries anticipated to begin in 2029.
Leonardo has introduced that it’s going to provide 4 C-27Js within the new Maritime Patrol Plane (MPA) variant to Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Protection. The plane will likely be operated by the Royal Saudi Naval Forces to deal with fashionable submarine and sea floor threats, to ensure efficient Search and Rescue (SAR) providers and to carry out transport and airdrop missions.
The corporate says the service will obtain the primary plane in 2029, turning into the kind’s twenty first operator. It have to be famous that these usually are not the primary C-27s offered to the nation, as two plane configured for multi-mission roles, together with aerial firefighting and medical evacuation (MEDEVAC), have been acquired in June 2025.
Leonardo highlighted that the brand new acquisition marks the primary time the C-27J MPA is procured with maritime weapon system integration functionality. The mixing of this functionality is a part of the continued work that Leonardo is doing to totally exploit the platform’s versatility.
An analogous configuration, though unarmed, is utilized by the U.S. Coast Guard as HC-27. Nevertheless there are some key variations within the programs built-in on the plane as a consequence of totally different necessities.
C-27J Spartan MPA
In its press launch, Leonardo explains the brand new Maritime Patrol Plane (MPA) variant will likely be primarily based upon the C-27J Spartan Subsequent Technology. The NG variant is an enhancement of the unique C-27J, which brings to the desk elevated efficiency and effectivity, state-of-the-art avionics, navigation, communication, identification and self-protection programs.
As a part of the brand new the C-27J MPA integrates a devoted mission suite, together with sensors optimized for detection, identification and monitoring of floor and submarine targets, managed by the Leonardo ATOS (Airborne Tactical Statement and Surveillance system) mission administration system with information fusion capabilities. Based on a Leonardo brochure, among the many sensors are an Energetic Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) search radar, Electro-Optical/Infra- Crimson (EO/IR) system, Computerized Identification System (AIS), Digital Help Measures (ESM) for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) and Sign/Digital Intelligence (SIGINT/ELINT), Magnetic Anomaly Detector (MAD) and Acoustic Subsystem.
To finish the maritime surveillance tools, the plane can be outfitted with two remark home windows, two detachable, ten-barrels Rotary Sonobuoy Launchers and two fastened, single barrel Ordnance Launchers for Sound Underwater Alerts, flare and smoke markers, in addition to a mission system with as much as 5 operator stations. Further capabilities are offered by the addition of Search and Rescue (SAR) kits and a self-protection system.
A whole communication system permits actual time information sharing with different property, additionally in Past Line Of Sight (BLOS) circumstances due to satellite tv for pc communications (SATCOM). The C-27J MPA can carry a weapons payload of seven,495 lb/3,600 kg on six wing pylons to counter a number of threats, together with light-weight torpedoes, anti-ship missiles and depth fees in accordance with the precise mission wants.
On this armed configuration, the plane has an endurance of over 9 hours, which could be prolonged with air-to-air refueling. For longer period missions the C-27J MPA can be outfitted with a crew relaxation space.
The MPA configuration could be assembled as a palletized roll-on/roll-off resolution. This enables to simply reconfigure the plane to carry out the transport, airdrop and medical evacuation missions typical of the baseline C-27J.
C-27J Subsequent Technology
The C-27J Subsequent Technology was launched in 2020 as an enhancement of the baseline plane to enhance its effectivity and efficiency. Right here is how Leonardo’s check pilot Matteo Maurizio, Head of Mission Check Pilot Airlifters, Particular Variations and UAS, who has been concerned within the growth of the brand new variant of the Spartan since its first check flights described the enhancements in 2020, as we reported in a earlier article right here at The Aviationist:
“The primary variations relate to the plane’s flying qualities and efficiency. By way of high quality, I have to stress that the brand new state-of-the-art avionics expertise absolutely complies with essentially the most up-to-date worldwide customary, known as Efficiency Based mostly Navigation and to have within the cockpit new options as FANS1/A+ Datalink, TCAS 7.1, ILS Cat II and Enhanced Video TAWS. This permits us to take advantage of all of the capabilities supplied by the operation in civil air areas with no limitations and to reinforce interoperability in tactical navy eventualities with the mixing of Mode 5 IFF/ADS-B out, tactical VNAV and Search and Rescue.
The brand new cockpit structure contains 5 new Color Multipurpose Show Items – that includes new and enhanced LED lighting and panels that enhance pilots’ effectivity throughout a flight – a twin redundant Flight Administration System, two Digital Autopilot-Flight Director Techniques with auto-throttle capabilities, and a complete communications suite. For intra-theatre operations, these options, coupled with the numerous massive cockpit home windows typical of the Spartan, full cockpit compatibility with NVIS/NVG night time imaginative and prescient programs and Head-Up Show availability assist to minimise pilot workload whereas rising the flexibility to handle the mission successfully in day, night time and adversarial climate circumstances.
By way of efficiency, the brand new winglets supply us a number of benefits when it comes to plane controllability, specifically flying at sluggish speeds, in addition to higher payload functionality additionally in scorching and excessive circumstances.
Whereas its cruising pace of 325 KTAS (602 km/h) and repair ceiling of 30,000 ft (9,144 m) won’t change with the brand new configuration, the winglets will enhance the plane’s climb capabilities when it comes to climb gradients or MTOW of roughly 1,000 kg. This can enable us to function from these airports with notably steep climb gradients, that are usually served by four-engine plane.”
