Leonardo announced on Dec. 4 that a C-27J with new baseline configuration has made its first flight.
Senior Master Sgt. David Lipp [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Taking off from Leonardo’s Aircraft Division Turin plant on Dec. 3, the new transport has a new avionics system, new cockpit control panels and LED aircraft lights.
The new avionic system is designed to comply with Next Generation Air Traffic Control requirements, like SESAR and NextGen, and provides TCAS 7.1 (Traffic Collision Avoidance System) capability. It features many major upgrades such as a new FMS (Flight Management System) with RNP (Required Navigation Performances) and LPV (Localizer Performance with Vertical Guidance) approach capabilities. The IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) Mode 5 has been updated at the latest standard. New cockpit displays, new weather radar, new radio navigation, enhanced satellite communications and radio communication capabilities, new intercommunication system, new cockpit and cargo panels and lighting system with led technology have been also included.