The G222 AAF Program

Alenia North America is under contract with the United States Air Force to supply 20 refurbished G222 aircraft for the Afghanistan Air Force (AAF). The 20 refurbished aircraft will be used by the Combined Security Transition Command in Afghanistan (CSTC-A).  They will be transferred by the NATO Air Training Command Afghanistan (NATC-A) in Kabul to the AAF.

The first three G222 aircraft were delivered to the U.S. Air Force in 2009 and since then eight more have been delivered for a total of eleven.  In 2010, two of the aircraft delivered were in VIP configuration and are being used to support Presidential airlift in Afghanistan.

Alenia North America, as prime contractor, is responsible for program management and execution. Alenia Aermacchi, parent company of Alenia North America, is handling the refurbishment and modernization of the G222 at its Capodichino facility near Naples, Italy. Logistical support in Afghanistan is being carried out by L-3 Systems Field Support.

The G222 will serve as the backbone of the AAF and will significantly expand its ability to provide humanitarian aid and security to the Afghan population. Alenia North America is honored to provide the AAF with an asset that will be critical to their efforts to grow and build their force during this significant period in their history.

The G222 Aircraft

The G222 is a twin-engine, high wing, turboprop aircraft powered by two General Electric T64-P4D engines and Hamilton Standard propellers. Designed to have a wide fuselage cross section to carry NATO standard pallets, the G222 is capable of delivering 10 tons of cargo, transporting vehicles, and providing medical evacuation for up to 36 patients accompanied by up to six medical attendants.

The aircraft is able to perform at a high level in high altitudes; it is known for its robust and rugged military design, and its ability to operate in austere conditions on short and unprepared landing strips. The G222 is capable of taking off and landing in the harshest conditions with the heaviest payloads. It has a maximum take-off weight of 58,422.5 lbs (26,500kg) and is able to carry a 19,039.1 lbs (8,636kg) payload up to a distance of over 340 miles (550km) at optimum cruise altitude and speed. 

The rear ramp enables the loading and off loading of large payloads. A variable attitude and height system avoids interference during vehicle drive on/off. The G.222 is easily interoperable with other airlifters, with an equal floor length and the same fuselage as the C-27J. The G222’s wide body, twin turboprop, and rear ramp make it ideal for medium military transport. The aircraft’s operational survivability is assured by its system redundancy and structural strength. The C-27/G.222 is a true military designed aircraft, capable of operating tactical assault sustained 3.33g-maneuvers.

A modified version of the G222 known as the C-27A was operated by the U.S. Air Force during the 1990s and continues to be operated by the U.S. Government and other military air forces around the world. Ten Air Forces, including the Italian Air Force, the Nigerian Air Force, the Royal Thai Air Force, the Argentine Army, and the U.S. Department of State, have used the G222 to carry out missions of medical evacuation, fire fighting, radio navigation calibration, electronic surveillance, and electronic warfare.  The G222 has been selected for use in Argentina, United Arab Emirates, Italy, Libya, Nigeria, Somalia, Thailand, Tunisia, Venezuela, and the United States. G222 aircraft have been deployed by the United States, NATO, Coalition Forces, the United Nations and Italy. The aircraft has been used successfully in support of military and humanitarian operations in Albania, Armenia, Bosnia, Cambodia, Congo, Operations Desert Shield and Storm, East Timor, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Honduras, Kosovo, Libya, Mali, Panama, Rwanda, Somalia, Uganda and Yemen. The global fleet of G222s has accumulated more than 290,000 flight hours and maintained an outstanding safety record.

Alenia North America G.222 ANAAC Fact Sheet.

TECHNICAL DATA