A team lead by L-3 Communications will build the Joint Cargo Aircraft for the U.S. Army and Air Force, the company said. The L-3 team, which includes Alenia North America (a Finmeccanica Company), Boeing Integrated Defense Systems and Global Military Aircraft Systems (GMAS), will build the C-27J Spartan, a mid-range, multifunctional and interoperable aircraft, able to perform logistical re-supply, MEDEVAC, troop movement, airdrop operations, humanitarian assistance and homeland security missions. The Army put the contract value at $2 billion for up to 78 C-27Js over the next six years. Work in the United States will be performed at Waco, Texas. Aircraft manufacture will occur in Italy. Work is to be completed by June 30, 2012. The C-27J will replace the U.S. Army’s C-23 Sherpas, C-12 and C-26 aircraft and augment the U.S. Air Forces’ existing fleet of intratheater airlifters. In selecting the C-27J the services opted for a performance-proven, effective, multi-mission cargo aircraft to fill a current capability gap in joint aerial delivery. The C-27J meets all requirements to transport critical cargo and personnel, self-deploy over strategic distances, land in austere locations, operate autonomously, and provide routine and combat aerial sustainment to the joint force.