Although the saga surrounding the C-27J airlifter buy in the U.S. continues, Alenia Aeronautica is engaged in increasingly serious talks with Northrop Grumman over a possible partnership for stateside final assembly of the aircraft.rnBut much hinges on how many Joint Cargo Aircraft (JCA) the U.S. plans tornpurchase; originally at 78, the number was trimmed to 38 in the Fiscal 2010 budget request. If the buy grows-and company officials are hopeful because of Army and Special Operations needs-prospects for the U.S. assembly line will be reinvigorated, and Alenia is still on the prowl for a partner.rnThe industrial relationship between the Italian aircraft maker and its potential U.S. partners has been tumultuous. Initially, Lockheed Martin was on the program before bowing out. Then Fin-meccanica (Alenia's parent) struck up an on-again, off-again relationship with Boeing, before the two decided to part ways in February. That leaves L-3 Communications as the prime contractor and integrator for the JCA.
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