Weren't There Just Two Before?

This week, the final proposals for the US military's next military light cargo aircraft were submitted to the Pentagon, with the final awarding of the Joint Cargo Aircraft (JCA) contract expected sometime next year.

As expected, a team comprised of Boeing, Alenia North American, L-3 communications and Globe Military Aircraft Systems submitted its variant of the European-designed C-27J Spartan (above) for consideration.

After touting the Spanish-designed C-295 (above) throughout the preliminary evaluation process, a team made up of Raytheon and EADS North America hedged its bets, by submitting two different aircraft for the JCA contract. In addition to the C-295, the team also submitted that plane's smaller cousin, the CN-235 (below) , for consideration. Should either plane be selected, the planes would be built at a plant in Mobile, AL.

To be introduced in 2009 -- pending congressional approval, which is on the bubble at the moment -- as many as 145 JCAs may eventually fly in Army and Air Force colors. The Pentagon hopes the smaller transports will ease pressure on heavy-lift helicopters and larger cargo planes on the frontlines.

First announced in 2005, the JCA program will replace the current (and, to quote ANN's Kevin O'Brien, "pathetic") C-23 Sherpa on the frontlines, as well as freeing up larger C-130s to handle the heavier loads they were designed for.

And speaking of the C-130 -- in a bit of a wildcard, Lockheed-Martin submitted the short-fuselage C-130J version of the venerable four-engined workhorse (above) as its JCA contender. While still larger and thirstier (the other JCA planes are twins) than the other entrants, Lockheed Martin hopes congressional planners will be attracted to the Hercules' shorter training time, and familiarity to Army and Air Force flight crews.

Oh, and the "Designed AND Made in America" label can't hurt, either.

Stay tuned. This battle should be VERY interesting...

FMI: www.c-27j.com, www.us-c295.com/military_transport.html, www.lockheedmartin.com