1

Medium Tactical Transport Airlift (MTTA)

- Fleet Size Analysis -

The C-27J represents the Optimum Solution for Medium Tactical

Transport Airlift (MTTA) because it ensures operational Mission Success

and maximum airlift versatility for the least cost of all possible MTTA

solutions.

When considering possible solutions for the Medium Tactical Transport Airlift (MTTA) role,

the C-27J is the most effective because it provides that airlift with the least number of aircraft

- ensuring Mission Success at a low cost. Furthermore, it is the most flexible airlifter in its

class when considering its loadability and versatility, future mission growth potential, and

ability to provide direct support to operations requiring larger aircraft, such as the C-130

Hercules.

The main purpose of this study is to highlight the overall effectiveness of the C-27J in

supporting MTTA objectives, providing a platform with mission growth potential and

complementing use of larger tactical airlifters in meeting all tactical airlift objectives with

fewer aircraft - thereby assuring the lowest cost operational solution.

The C-27J provides the most effective, low cost MTTA airlift on the basis of:

1. High Productivity: With productivity the number of ton-miles performed in a certain

time. The C-27J exhibits the highest productivity of any aircraft in the light/medium

class thanks to its Transport Power (function of the aircraft’s speed and load carrying

potential). This high productivity, and subsequent time savings, allows the operator to

reduce the number of aircraft or the number of sorties/time required to perform a

given task.

2. Mission Flexibility: The ability to carry large tactical loads and fly in severe operating

environments allows the C-27J to operate outside the basic MTTA role - such as,

complementing C-130 Hercules operations or the transport of equipment and vehicles

(HMMWV) too large for other aircraft in its class.

The following pages highlight the C-27J benefits in terms of:

• Fulfillment of MTTA requirements

• Dimensioning the fleet size for a transport squadron

• Perfect interoperability with larger aircraft operations

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MTTA Requirement

Essential to the MTTA role is the ability for the aircraft to transport or airdrop tactical combat

personnel, equipment, and vehicles over short to medium distances, into and out of hostile

environments. The aircraft must also operate from short, unprepared airfields under severe

climatic conditions. The aircraft must be rugged, reliable, easy to maintain, able to operate

away from main base support over extended periods of time, and provide a high level of

survivability while operating under combat conditions.

Of all possible MTTA solutions, the aircraft that best meets these objectives is the C-27J.

The tactical airlift capabilities of the C-27J, are unequalled by the other MTTA solutions.

This is because of its rugged military design, performance, cargo box size, and overall

loadability. The C-27J also offers growth potential to support future mission requirements

and support C-130 Hercules and other larger military transport aircraft operations.

The C-27J’s versatility and flexibility allows the operator to undertake any tactical airlift

operation with the confidence of achieving Mission Success. Mission Success can be seen as

a combination of factors associated with the aircraft’s ability to accomplish the required

mission within a specified closure time – these factors are the aircraft’s:

1) Performance

2) Loading capability

3) Operational capability

4) Reliability

5) Survivability

The C-27J exhibits excellent characteristics in all these categories. These general

characteristics of the C-27J, combined with its high speed performance, ensure maximum

mission completion rates within given time constraints required during crisis operations.

Squadron Fleet Size

Productivity

Productivity is a measure of the capability of an aircraft to transport a given payload at certain

distance – with ton-nautical miles parameter (tonne-nm in the metric system). The most

efficient solution for a given airlift operation comes from an aircraft exhibiting the highest

Transport Power that represents the productivity performed per FH. This allows completion

of the operation with fewer aircraft. A greater number of missions with the same number of

aircraft results in an expanded airlift operation.

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Because of its high cruise speed and total payload capability, the C-27J is the most productive

- or efficient - airlifter among its closest competitors. This implies that:

• the same task is completed with fewer aircraft, or

• a given payload is moved in a shorter period of time (saving cost through reduced

operational time and FH) or,

• a greater payload is moved in the same time (saving costs by reducing the number of

sorties required), or

• a given payload is moved a longer distance without refueling (in the same time).

The following chart shows the hourly Transport Power of the C-27J and the competing Utility

Aircraft (C295, CN235) operating over various distances. Transport Power is the result of

multiplying available payload (tonnes) times speed (nautical miles per hour).

Aircraft Transport Power Comparison

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500

Block Distance (nm)

Tra

nsp

ort

Po

wer

(to

nn

es-n

m/h

rs)

CN-235

C-27J

Assumptions: - ISA - Maximum Payload - Logistic Transport @ 2.25g - Long Range Cruise Speed

1,769

2,805

C-295

1,150

For the purpose of demonstrating productivity, the payload is assumed to be of a size that is

transportable by even the competing Utility Aircraft offered as potential MTTA solutions.

The Transport Power profiles show that the C-27J operates at all ranges with a greater

productivity compared to the competing Utility Aircraft. For example, on a 500 nautical mile

mission, the productivity for each aircraft is:

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Hourly Productivity Relative Productivity

Aircraft (tonne-nm/hr) (%)

C-27J 2,805 100

C-295 1,769 63

CN-235 1,173 41

Fleet Size

The benefit to reducing fleet size by operating the C-27J, with its high relative Transport

Power, can be seen by comparing the number of aircraft needed to perform logistics mission

during one year (again, assuming all cargo is transportable by each aircraft). The relationship

between the numbers of aircraft required for such airlift operations is shown below as a

function of tonne-nm/hr.

Requirement Assumtions:Total Carried Material per Year 5.500 tonnes/YAverage Distance 500 nmFleet Yearly Productivity 2.750.000 ton-miles/YAircraft Utilization 500 FH/Y

C-27JProductivity per Hour (Power Transport) 2.850 ton-miles/FHAircraft Yearly Productivity 1.425.000 ton-miles/YAircraft Number to accomplish Yearly Productivity 2 A/COperational Availability 80%

Total Fleet 3 A/CAircraft Maximum Carried Payload 11,50 tonnesAircraft Block Time on Average Distance 2,05 FHAverage Missions Number per Aircraft per Year 160Average Utilization per Aircraft 328 FH/Y

TOTAL Fleet Yearly FH flown 984 FH/Y

C-295Productivity per Hour (Power Transport) 1.769 ton-miles/FHAircraft Yearly Productivity 884.500 ton-miles/YAircraft Number to accomplish Yearly Productivity 4 A/COperational Availability 80%

Total Fleet 5 A/CAircraft Maximum Carried Payload 9,20 tonnesAircraft Block Time on Average Distance 2,60 FHAverage Missions Number per Aircraft per Year 120Average Utilization per Aircraft 312 FH

TOTAL Fleet Yearly FH flown 1.560 FH/Y

CN-235Productivity per Hour (Power Transport) 1.150 ton-miles/FHAircraft Yearly Productivity 575.000 ton-miles/YAircraft Number to accomplish Yearly Productivity 5 A/COperational Availability 80%

Total Fleet 7 A/CAircraft Maximum Carried Payload 6,30 tonnesAircraft Block Time on Average Distance 2,70 FHAverage Missions Number per Aircraft per Year 125Average Utilization per Aircraft 338 FH

TOTAL Fleet Yearly FH flown 2.363 FH/Y

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The example used in demonstrating the number of aircraft of each type required is based on

airlifting personnel, vehicles, and supplies - totalling 5,500 tonnes – at an average distance of

500 nm during 1 year. The yearly aircraft utilization is 500 FH/Y. Considering the Aircraft

Productivity per Flight Hour (Power Transport), shown in the previous chart, is possible to

calculate the Total Fleet assuming an Operational Availability of 80%.

Numbers of aircraft required are:

Aircraft Aircraft Number Relative Aircraft Number (N) (%)

C-27J 3 100

C-295 5 167

CN-235 7 233

Time Savings

Time savings is an element of the higher productivity of the C-27J which leads to lower

overall operating costs for the aircraft and increased potential for Mission Success. The

higher speed of the C-27J coupled with its ease of loading and unloading allows a reduction

of the mission closure time relative to the other aircraft, thus allowing it to perform more

missions in support of the tactical objective.

Aircraft Missions Number per Y Relative Missions Number (N) (%)

C-27J 160 100

C-295 120 75

CN-235 125 78

With respect to cost, however, a reduction of Total Fleet Flight Hours Flown allows to reduce

drastically the Yearly Operational & Support Cost and the Life Cycle Cost C-27J. A fleet

composed by only 3 C-27J flies less than the other competitors.

Aircraft Total Fleet FH per Y Relative FH per Y (N) (%)

C-27J 984 100

C-295 1.560 159

CN-235 2.363 240

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Considering an Operative Life of 25 Years the Total FH are:

Aircraft Total Fleet FH per 25Y Relative FH per 25Y (N) (%)

C-27J 24.600 100

C-295 39.000 159

CN-235 59.075 240

Operating a fleet of C-27J is possible to save 14.400 FH with respect a C-295 fleet or 34.375

FH with respect a CN-235 fleet.

Mission Flexibility

Operating outside the basic role for the MTTA enables the operator to employ a more

efficient solution to overall mission requirements. The operator can plan more complicated

tactical missions or use the MTTA aircraft to complement the larger C-130 operations. Due

to its rugged military design and loadability characteristics, the C-27J has the growth potential

required for this additional role.

It is well suited for the most complicated, dangerous tactical mission or it can assume some of

the mission roles of the C-130 Hercules, airlifting much of the tactical equipment and

vehicles normally carried by the Hercules. This capability dictates an operational cost

savings, but more importantly in crisis situations, it also allows for a more efficient use of

valuable C-130 hours.

The following chart compares the C27J with C-130 Hercules and Utility Aircraft in airlifting

a US Airborne Division. Due to the large cross section of the cargo compartment and its

great floor strength, the C-27J is capable of accommodating over 60% of typical C-130 loads

for deploying an Airborne Division. The competing Utility Aircraft are limited in their

loading capability due to lower floor strength or smaller cross-section dimensions.

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Typical Airborne Division Equipment Deployment

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

0 500 1000 1500Floor strength (kg/m of axial load)

Eq

uip

men

t lo

adin

g c

apab

ility

C-130

C-27JC-27J

Utility Aircraft

Moreover, the airdrop of personnel, equipment, and vehicles is as safe from the C-27J as it is

from the C-130 Hercules. The C-27J has an ample rear section (2.45 meters wide, 2.25

meters high with the ramp and rear door opened). Its large paratroop doors (0.91 meters

wide, 1.92 meters high) enhance safety and shorten jump intervals - important for tall and

heavily equipped paratroopers.

The C-27J affords the maximum operational flexibility of any MTTA competing aircraft with

the same cargo handling system and floor strength of the Hercules. These features, coupled

with a large cross section and unique loading features (such as tilting and variable height),

make the interchange of loads between the C-27J and the C130 easily accomplished. This

contributes to an overall optimization of the transport fleet.

The figure below shows the differences of the C-27J and the various Utility Aircraft in their

ability to carry large loads, such as a fully loaded typical 463L military pallet used on the

Hercules. Notice that there is sufficient room between the load and the sides of the C-27J for

a loadmaster to move around the cargo compartment to ensure that safety is not

compromised. The C-27J can also carry a fully assembled HMMWV, as does the C-130.

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88”59”

88”59”

Volume: 7.5 m388”

59”88”

59”

Volume: 7.5 m3

83”88”

83”88”

Volume: 12.9 m3

CN-236 / C-295

(cargo section, which is too narrow to carry 463L pallet)

C-27J

With speeds similar to the C-130, a useful range and payload capability beyond the minimum

requirements of the basic MTTA aircraft, and being cheaper to operate than the Hercules, C-

130 operations can be optimized and mission costs significantly lowered by using the C-27J

to perform some of the C130 missions.

85”

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Conclusions

The C-27J solution represents the optimum choice for the MTTA role by satisfying the

operational requirements with the most effective medium tactical airlifter available, while

ensuring cost savings for fleet operations.

The C-27J’s range and payload capability enables operations without restrictions. Mission

Success is ensured with the C-27J as it provides excellent performance and high

dependability and survivability. The aircraft’s high cruise speed allows a reduction in

mission closure time as it provides rapid reaction capability in crisis periods.

Program cost savings comes from:

• The highest productivity available among the competing aircraft, which affects the

number of aircraft required.

• Time savings on typical tactical missions, which translates in fewer flown hours per

mission and is emphasized on an annual basis and over 25 years of operations.

• The capability to be used to complement C130 operations, saving cost on the more

valuable Hercules operations.