Golden Age Weaponsmiths C-27J Spartan:

First introduced in the first decade of the Twenty-First Century, the C-27J Spartan was developed for the U.S. Army and Air Force's Joint Cargo Aircraft competition by Alenia. An upgraded version of the G.222, the aircraft uses the same engines as the C-130 Hercules although the aircraft mounts only two engines instead of four engines on the larger aircraft. The aircraft had greater increased range and service ceiling than the aircraft it was based on. Another reason for adopting the C-27J is that the aircraft was designed for short take off and landing. This feature is shared with the G.222 design. In many ways, the C-27J can be considered the smaller companion of the C-130 Hercules.

While the Hercules was considered an extremely effective design, the Spartan was designed to fill roles where the Hercules is considered too large. Mostly designed for medium range roles, the C-27J is much more fuel efficient for carrying lighter loads. In addition to service for the United States military, the Spartan was operated by several other nations. There were also several civilian organizations which operated this aircraft.

The C-27J operated in United States military service from when it was introduced until the later part of the Twenty-Fifties. It was operated by several militaries far longer and there were still civilian operated C-27J Spartan aircraft until the coming of the Rifts. Due to the large numbers of these aircraft operating, simply law of averages meant that many of these aircraft survived.

Golden Age Weaponsmiths has found that the refitted versions of the Spartan are extremely popular and any aircraft they refit tend to sell quickly just like the C-130 Hercules. To supplement their other heavy lift craft, the Coalition and Free Quebec operate some of these aircraft. Some others are operated by mercenary companies while others are operated by cargo lines. Like with the C-130, Golden Age Weaponsmiths is planning to manufacture a new version of the C-27J sharing many of the same components as the C-130 Hercules (Cost of new built versions will be 4.5 million credits.)

The main refit of the C-27J involves reinforcing the frame and skin of the aircraft with high strength composites and alloys, allowing the aircraft to withstand far greater damage than the C-27J could originally even though the aircraft was surprisingly rugged. Some components such as the tires and propellers are replaced by ones made from super strong alloys and composites. New versions of the aircraft, when manufacture is started, will be constructed completely from new strength alloys and composites (Increase M.D.C. values by 50% except tires and propellers.) As such, it will be far stronger and able to withstand much greater stress and damage. Electronics are upgraded and modernized as well when these aircraft are refitted by Golden Age.

Cargo capability of the C-27J is reduced compared to the C-130 with the smaller aircraft having a maximum cargo carrying ability of around 11.5 metric tons. Instead of cargo, the Spartan can also carry sixty passengers (normally troops), forty-six paratroopers, or thirty-six medical litters and six medical personnel. The aircraft has doors on the sides for paratroopers and a rear ramp. The aircraft crew is three with a pilot, copilot, and a load master.

Maximum range of the C-27J Spartan is 2,300 miles unloaded and 1,000 miles fully loaded. As with most United States designs, the aircraft can be refueled in mid-air. Top speed is 325 knots with a service ceiling of 30,000 feet.

As a supplement to the AC-130 Specter gun ship, a gun ship version of the C-27J was also produced. This was the AC-27 and the vehicle is armed with two 30 mm cannons on the port side. In this version, most of the cargo space is taken up with ammunition for the cannons. This can be considered a companion to the AC-130 Specter just like the Spartan is to the Hercules.

Model Type:	C-27	"Spartan" Standard Transport Version
	AC-27	Gun Ship Version

Vehicle Type: Twin Engine (Turbo-Prop) Tactical Transport Aircraft

Crew:	C-27	Three (Pilot, Copilot, and Load Master)
	AC-27	Eight (Pilot, Copilot, Fire Control Officer, and 5 Gunners / Support)
Troops:	C-27	60 Troops (46 Paratroopers / 36 Medical Litters)
	AC-27	8 Troops (5 Paratroopers)

M.D.C. by Location:

	Side Mounted 30 mm Cannons (2 - Gun Ship Version Only)	30 each
	Cargo Door	160
	[1] Wings (2):	200 each
	[2] Elevators (2):	100 each
	[2] Rudders (1):	100
	Cockpit:	150
	[3] Engines (2):	160
	[3] Propellers (2):	25
	Landing Gear (5):	10 each
	[4] Main Body:	400

Notes:
[1] Destroying a Wing will cause the plane to crash.
[2] Destruction of rudders or one elevator will still allow the aircraft to be controlled by the varying of power levels of the engines but transport has a penalty of -10 to dodge, and a -30% penalty to all piloting rolls. Destruction of both of the elevators will leave the plane uncontrollable and aircraft crew must evacuate to survive
[3] The destruction of one engine and/or propeller will reduce the transports top speed by one half and give the pilot a -4 penalty to dodge as well as giving a 10% penalty to piloting. Destruction of both four engines and/or propellers will cause the aircraft to crash. Pilot may attempt a emergency landing or transport crew can choose to eject.
[4] Depleting the M.D.C. of the main body will shut the Aircraft down completely, rendering it useless and causing it to crash if in flight.

Speed:
Driving on Ground (Taxiing): Only possible for take offs and landings as well as for parking and storage. Speed is 40 mph (64 kph) when traveling and not on take off or landing. Aircraft can land and take off from primitive runways.
Flying: The C-27J Spartan has the ability to make short take-offs and landings. The Spartan can reach a top speed of 374 mph (601.9 kph / 325 knots). The aircraft is a turbo prop (not a jet) and the aircrafts normal cruise speed is 300 mph (482.8 kph / 260.7 knots) but varies on situation. The C-27J has a maximum altitude of 30,000 feet (9,144 meters)
Range: 1,150.8 miles (1,852 km / 1,000 nautical miles) with maximum payload. The C-27J Spartan has a range with maximum fuel of 2,876.94 miles (4,630 kilometers / 2,500 nautical miles.) The Spartan can also be refuel in the air.

Statistical Data:
Height: 31 feet 8 inches (9.6 meters)
Wingspan: 94 feet 2 inches (28.7 meters)
Length: 74 feet 6 inches (22.7 meters)
Weight: 37,479 pounds (17,000 kg) empty and 66,138 pounds (31,800 kg) maximum takeoff weight.
Power System: Conventional, Two Rolls-Royce Allison AE2100-D2 turboprop, 3,460 kW (4,637 shp) each, uses aviation fuel.
Cargo: C-27J: 12.68 tons (11.5 metric tons), AC-27: 1.5 tons (1.36 metric tons)
Black Market Cost: C-27J: 2.25 million credits, AC-27: 6.5 million credits.

Weapon Systems (Military Versions):

1. Side Mounted 30 mm Bushmaster II Auto-Cannons (2 - Gun Ship Version Only): These are the original Pre-Rifts cannons mounted on the sides of the gun ship. They have replaced the standard ammo with mega damage, armor piercing ramjet ammunition which allows the aircraft to hold it own and surpass many other Rifts aircraft and helicopters in firepower.
   Maximum Effective Range: 6,000 feet (1,830 m).
   Mega Damage: 2D6x10 for a short burst of 20 round, 4D6x10 for a long burst of 40 rounds, and 3D6 for each round. Both bursts count as one attack.
   Rate of Fire: Equal to the combined hand to hand attacks of the gunners (usually 4 or 5).
   Payload: 1200 rounds (60 bursts).
2. Anti-Missile Chaff/Flare Dispenser (1 - All Military Versions): This system was standard on all military versions of the C-27J. Use the same effects as the TRIAX model. However, each time the system is engaged, the system fires off one chaff and 1D4 flares. Rifts Earth decoys systems are assumed to not operate against Phase World missiles due to technological difference. Reduce effects by 20% against smart missiles (Add +20% to rolls for smart missiles.)
   Effect:
   01-50 Enemy missile or missile volley detonates in chaff cloud - Missile are all destroyed
   51-75 Enemy missile or missile volley loses track of real target and veers away in wrong direction (May lock onto another target
   76-00 No effect, missile is still on target
   Also note that the chaff cloud will also blind flying monsters that fly through cloud. They will suffer the following penalties: reduce melee attacks/actions, combat bonuses, and speed by half. Duration: 1D4 melee rounds.
   Payload: 20 chaff, 40 flares. Each time the system is engaged, the system fires off one chaff and 1D4 flares.

Special Equipment (Gun Ship Version):

The equipment of the AC-27 has been upgraded but many of the original systems are still on the aircraft. Consider the aircraft to carry all standard equipment that robot vehicles carry (not including loudspeaker and microphone) plus the following extra systems::

• Internal Active Jamming Gear: Causes -25% to detection but when it is active, other vehicles/ bases can detect that it is jamming, and some missiles will home in on jamming signals. Jamming also causes a -4 penalty to all radar guided weapons.
• E.S.M.: Radar Detector, Passively detects other radars being operated.
• FLIR: Forward Looking Infrared. Allows pilot and weapons officer to get visuals on targets at night.

+1 to Dodge
+2 to Dodge while traveling over 250 Mph

[Golden Age Weaponsmiths, Wellington Industries, and TRIAX are trademarks owned by Kevin Siembieda and Palladium Books Inc. ]
[ Rifts® is a registered trademark owned by Kevin Siembieda and Palladium Books Inc.]

By Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).

Copyright © 2007, Kitsune. All rights reserved.