The Afghan air force has taken delivery of its ninth C-27A transport aircraft as it continues to build a fleet of 20 of these twin-engine airplanes. This refurbished airframe is now at the AAF’s base in Kabul after its flight from Italy. The Afghans retired their last An-26 transport in December and plan to phase out their An-32s this summer, leaving the C-27 as the centerpiece of their airlift capability. USAF air advisors say the C-27 is well-suited for Afghanistan’s mountainous terrain and will be invaluable due to the country’s limited road network. It’s also a good training platform for the Afghans, said Maj. Jay Troxell, a USAF air advisor. The C-27 “handles well” and is “definitely forgiving and easy to land, which helps for instruction,” he said. The AAF’s 10th C-27 is expected to arrive in early February. (Kabul report by MC2 Vladimir Potapenko)
Competitors Not Picked for CCA Look Forward to Increment 2
April 25, 2024
While none of the major aircraft contractors were selected to develop the Collaborative Combat Aircraft, all three say they are seeking further autonomous aircraft work for the Navy, foreign partners, or in the classified arena, and maybe future versions of the CCA itself.