Nigeria receives first ATR 42MP from Alenia Aeronautica

Lagos, Nigeria Dec. 20, 2009 (Defense News) - The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has received the first of two Alenia Aeronautica ATR 42MP maritime patrol aircraft, the company announced on 9 December.
According to Alenia Aeronautica, the second aircraft is being converted and will be handed over in 2010.
The contract for two aircraft, which was signed in March 2007, covers the provision of pilot and operator training on the basic aircraft (at the ATR Training Centre in Toulouse, France) as well as on the maritime patrol (MP) configuration of the aircraft and the mission system (at the Alenia Aeronautica Training Centre at the Caselle South site in Turin, Italy).
Nigeria has requested that training take place in-country from 2010 onwards, so as to allow the NAF to benefit from full use of the aircraft as quickly as possible.

U.S. Air Force Awards Alenia North America Approximately $7 Million Logistics Support Contract for Afghan C-27/G.222

Alenia North America ~ October 5, 2009,

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Alenia North America, a subsidiary of Alenia Aeronautica and part of the Finmeccanica Group has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Air Force (USAF) to provide logistic support and maintenance in Afghanistan for the C-27/G.222 aircraft currently being delivered for the Afghanistan National Army Air Corps (ANAAC). The $7 million contract provides for additional logistic support and maintenance for the program. The logistical support in Afghanistan is being conducted by Alenia’s partner L-3 Vertex Aerospace.
The first refurbished and modernized C-27/G.222 aircraft was delivered to the USAF on September 25. Deliveries will continue through 2011. The first training class for U.S. Air Force Instructors is anticipated to begin shortly.
About the C-27/G.222 ANAAC Program
In 2008, Finmeccanica’s subsidiary Alenia North America was awarded a contract by the United States Air Force to supply 18 refurbished C-27/G.222 aircraft for the ANAAC. The 18 refurbished aircraft will be used by the Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan. They will be transferred by the Combined Air Power Transition Force in Kabul to the reconstructed ANAAC. The C-27/G.222 will serve as the back bone of the ANAAC and aid significantly in expanding the capability of the ANAAC to provide humanitarian aid and security to the Afghan population throughout the country.
Alenia North America, as prime contractor, is responsible for program management. Logistical support in Afghanistan will be carried out by L-3 Vertex Aerospace. The aircraft are being refurbished and modernized by Alenia Aeronautica in its Capodichino facility near Naples, Italy.
Alenia North America is a subsidiary of Alenia Aeronautica and part of the Finmeccanica Group. Its mission is to further expand the industrial and commercial presence of the Alenia Group in North America. Alenia North America Inc. is headquartered in Washington, D.C. with offices in Seattle, Washington; Long Beach, California; Fort Worth, Texas; and Smyrna, Georgia. Alenia North America - Canada, a subsidiary wholly owned by Alenia North America, has offices in Ottawa, Canada. Alenia North America is also a shareholder in several joint venture companies located in the United States. Global Aeronautica, a joint venture with The Boeing Company, located in North Charleston, South Carolina, performs significant integration and sub-assembly work for the Boeing 787 program. Global Military Aircraft Systems (GMAS), a joint venture with L-3 Communications Integrated Systems, is a center of excellence to support the C-27J in North America. GMAS is headquartered in Madison, Mississippi. Alenia North America has recently announced its intent to establish a new final assembly and production facility for the C-27J in Jacksonville, Florida. The C-27J is the world leader in the twin engine military tactical aircraft market with 121 units sold worldwide.
Contact:
Alenia North America

Brittany Toscano,

202-292-2620

btoscano@aleniainc.com

Roll-out of the first G.222 aircraft, refurbished and modernized with systems and avionics, at Alenia Aeronautica's Capodichino plant

On Thursday July 2, 2009, 6:00 am EDT
WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Alenia Aeronautica held a ceremony at its Capodichino (Naples) location for the roll-out of the first G.222 aircraft, ordered by the United States Air Force (USAF), to be restored to airworthiness, and modernized with new systems and avionics.
In September 2008, Alenia North America (a company wholly owned by Alenia Aeronautica) was awarded a contract by the U.S. Air Force, valued at $287 million, to provide 18 refurbished G.222 tactical transport aircraft that will be transferred by the Combined Security Transition Command in Kabul to the reconstructed Afghan Air Force, the Afghan National Army Air Corps (ANAAC).
The first flight of the upgraded G.222 aircraft is anticipated for the end of next month and delivery of the aircraft will begin in September 2009.
The 18 G.222, which include two versions configured for VIP transport, belong to different production groups that range from 1977 to 1985 and meet different production standards. All of the aircraft will be modernized with the configuration of systems and avionics, new autopilot systems and ballistic protection, in addition to necessary maintenance, modifications and modernization.
Giovanni Bertolone, CEO of Alenia Aeronautica, commented, “This day represents a significant stage in the sphere of a very important contract signed by Alenia North America, as prime contractor, with the American Government in September 2008; confirming the continued vitality of the program, after years of operating service with the Italian Air Force (AMI). The capacity of tactical transport, the operational validity and the superior qualification of the aircraft to complete complex missions, for which it was designed, have been further exalted by the C-27J program, the actual leader in the market segment. The Afghan G.222 will be required to operate in difficult scenarios, in conditions of extreme altitude and temperature.”
Giuseppe Giordo, CEO of Alenia North America said, “Alenia Aeronautica, with Alenia North America and Finmeccanica, has demonstrated again that it can offer products to the United States that meet the rigid and specific requirements outlined by the American Government, always on time and on budget in accordance with the requirements of the client. These 18 G.222 aircraft will give the reconstructed Afghan Air Force a great advantage in terms of the security and the stability of the region.”
The G.222, in service until 2005 with the Italian Air Force (AMI) and used also by the United States Air Force in the 1990s under the name C-27A, is a twin-engine, tactical transport, turboprop aircraft. Developed as a true military airlifter, the G.222 is dependable, robust, and capable of taking off in almost any operating condition, even from short and unprepared airstrips.
The G.222 is still in operation with a large number of air forces around the world, including: the Nigerian Air Force, the Royal Thai Air Force, the Ejercito Argentino, the U.S. State Department, and the Italian Air Force (version VS, electronic warfare); thanks also to the efficiency of the logistical support provided by Alenia Aeronautica.
Alenia North America is a subsidiary of Alenia Aeronautica and part of the Finmeccanica Group. Its mission is to further expand the industrial and commercial presence of the Alenia Group in North America. Alenia North America Inc. is headquartered in Washington, D.C. with offices in Seattle, Washington; Long Beach, California; Fort Worth, Texas; and Smyrna, Georgia. Alenia North America - Canada, a subsidiary wholly owned by Alenia North America, has offices in Ottawa, Canada. Alenia North America is also a shareholder in several joint venture companies located in the United States. Global Aeronautica, a joint venture with The Boeing Company, located in North Charleston, South Carolina, performs significant integration and sub-assembly work for the Boeing 787 program. Global Military Aircraft Systems (GMAS), a joint venture with L-3 Communications Integrated Systems, is a center of excellence to support the C-27J in North America. GMAS is headquartered in Madison, Mississippi. Alenia North America has recently announced its intent to establish a new final assembly and production facility for the C-27J in Jacksonville, Florida. The C-27J is the world leader in the twin engine military tactical aircraft market with 121 units sold worldwide.
Contact:
Alenia North America
Brittany Toscano,
202-292-2620
btoscano@aleniainc.com