C27J
C-27J Spartan MAFFS
FIREFIGHTING WITHOUT BOUNDARIES
Agile. Efficient. Mission-Ready.
Cost-effective solution optimised for agility and maneuverability, the C-27J Spartan integrates the MAFFS system into a rugged tactical airlifter that reaches short runways, unpaved strips, and remote mountain airfields where heavier platforms can't operate.
Key Feature
With over 40 successful flight tests, MAFFS on the C-27J achieves Ground Pattern Coverage Level 6.
TRUSTED BY
Leonardo
Slovenian Air Force
Aramco
MODULAR BY DESIGN
C27J MAFFS Features
COST-EFFECTIVE MODULARITY
Module installation in ~90 minutes by a four-person crew—the fastest MAFFS installation of any platform
Supports firefighting, transport, SAR, humanitarian, disaster relief, and civil protection from a single airframe
High fleet utilization outside fire season: the C-27J offers 11 distinct configurations reconfigurable in ~30 minutes
TACTICAL OPERATIONAL ADVANTAGES
Max cruise speed 325 KTAS (602 km/h)—rapid response to emerging wildfire incidents
Exceptional low-altitude maneuverability for precision drops in complex, mountainous terrain—effective even in hot-and-high conditions
Advanced digital avionics with glass cockpit for enhanced situational awareness—including night-capable operations
STOL capable—operates from short or unpaved runways (CBR >3) closer to fire zones, cutting turnaround time dramatically
ENHANCED CREW & SYSTEM INTEGRATION
7,500-liter (~2,000-gallon) tank capacity for water or retardant — the largest in the medium-lift tactical transport class
Ground refill in under 10 minutes enabling rapid sortie cycles — 6 consecutive sorties achievable in 3 hours
Ground Pattern Coverage Level 6 achieved and exceeded — validated through an extensive flight-test programme using real-time SMART ground measurement
Pressurised drop at ~130 knots with adjustable coverage range — crew adapts drop profile to specific fire conditions and terrain
Up to two volume drops per sortie with rapid turnaround — maximising retardant delivered per flight hour
Mission Capabilities
The C-27J Spartan is operational/on order across nearly 20 countries, with over 250,000 flight hours logged worldwide. The addition of MAFFS transforms a versatile tactical airlifter into a formidable aerial firefighter.
TACTICAL DEPLOYMENT
- Effective in hot-and-high environments—qualified to operate from -55°C to +50°C and at altitudes where other platforms lose performance
- Land closer to fire zones on short or semi-prepared airstrips, minimizing transit time and maximizing sorties per day
- Ideal for rapid regional response, reaching isolated locations where water is scarce and traditional scooper aircraft cannot operate
MULTI-MISSION VERSATILITY
- 11 possible configurations, including cargo, troop, medevac, paratroop, VIP, firefighting, SAR, and more
- Supports civil protection, disaster relief, oil spill dispersant, and humanitarian missions—a true year-round operational justification
STRATEGIC BENEFIT
- The most cost-effective acquisition and operating profile in the MAFFS-compatible transport class
- Flexible surge augmentation: pre-position or rapidly deploy to complement scooper aircraft, helicopters, and heavier tanker platforms
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