This morning Alenia Aeronautica delivered at Capodichino the first of the 18 G.222 tactical airlifters ordered by the United States Air Force for the Afghan National Air Corps in September 2008. The Afghan aircraft are all former Italian Air Force machines which Alenia Aeronautica bought back at the time of the Italian C-27J purchase. These G.222 were built between 1977 and 1985 to different production standards.
Because of the different configurations che contract – the first one signed by Alenia North America, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Alenia Aeronautica, as prime contractor in a US government contract – stipulates that all aircraft be brought to common avionics and systems configuration, including a new autopilot and ballistic protection.
The first aircraft, for instance, is construction number 4088 (ITAF MM.62145) and was built for the Italian Civil Protection, serving with the 46th Air Brigade also in the fire-fighting role. The first aircraft returned to flight on July 30, one month after its roll-out and nine months since the start of its overhaul and upgrade. The G.222 made a two hour flight from Capodichino, piloted by test pilots Enrico Scarabotto and Marco Venanzetti. After the July flight, the twin turboprop airlifter continued its test program. This also included several test flights at Turin-Caselle aiport before delivery to the USAF. Deliveries are planned to continue at a rate of approximately one aircraft per month until 2011.