iscover
In 2015, the first of 10 C-27J Spartans landed in Australia and met with an unenviable task: to replace RAAF’s adored fleet of Caribous. Operated by No. 35 Squadron from RAAF Base Amberley, the 30,500kg air mobility aircraft is designed to nestle into the sweet spot between the country’s smaller CH-47F Chinooks and larger C-130J Hercules and C-17A Globemaster IIIs.
It’s significant advantage, though, like the Caribou, is its ability to land on smaller runways with lower pavement classification numbers – that’s weaker dirt strips, to you and me. It means it can access up to 1,900 airfields in Australia compared to around 500 for the C-130J.
This content is available exclusively to Australian Aviation members.
Login
Become a Member
To continue reading the rest of this article, please login.
To unlock all Australian Aviation magazine content and again unlimited access to our daily news and features, become a member today!
A monthly membership is only $5.99 or save with our annual plans.
A monthly membership is only $5.99 or save with our annual plans.
PRINT
$49.95 for 1 year
Become a Member
See benefits
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
MOST POPULAR
PRINT + DIGITAL
$99.95 for 1 year
Become a Member
$179.95 for 2 years
Become a Member
See benefits
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
DIGITAL
$5.99 Monthly
Become a Member
$59.95 Annual
Become a Member
See benefits
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
Mark Goodman
says:This aircraft has been a good choice in terms of replacing the Caribou. Would like to have read an example of a mission undertaken. Reportedly the UK are taking a number of C130J out of service. Is this an opportunity for Australia to increase the fleet.
Ray
says:While it is a nice photo no.7 is a USMC KC-130
Murray Howlett
says:If No.7 is a KC-130 then it has certainly been on a diet – losing a couple of engines in the process.
No.10 however is definitely not a C-27 – too many engines and they are all jets.