Leonardo reports that its new C-27J Spartan baseline configuration — featuring new avionics and cockpit control panels and LED lighting — has successfully completed its first flight at the Turin plant of the company's Aircraft Division.

The company says that operators will enjoy improved operational cost and performance within the aircraft flyaway price. The main benefits of the new configuration — which is being offered as a retrofit option for current operators — are compliance with new civil aviation regulations and military requirements, along with obsolescence risk reduction.

The new avionics system is designed to comply with Next Generation Air Traffic Control requirements and provides TCAS 7.1 (Traffic Collision Avoidance System) capability. Major upgrades include a new Flight Management System (FMS) with Required Navigation Performance (RNP) and Localiser Performance with Vertical Guidance (LPV) approach capabilities. The Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) Mode 5 has also been updated to the latest standard.

Other features include new cockpit displays, new weather radar, new radio navigation, enhanced satellite communications and radio communication capabilities, new intercommunication system, new cockpit and cargo panels and lighting system with LED technology. Moreover, former avionics and general systems interface boxes have been replaced with new equipment made by Leonardo’s Airborne and Space Systems Division.