Grumman C-2 Greyhound
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (April 2008) |
| C-2 Greyhound | |
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| A C-2A in July 1988, based at Naval Air Station Sigonella in Sicily, Italy | |
| Role | Carrier-capable transport / Carrier onboard delivery |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Grumman Northrop Grumman |
| First flight | 18 November 1964 |
| Introduction | 1966 |
| Retired | 1987, C-2A |
| Status | In service |
| Primary user | United States Navy |
| Produced | C-2A: 1965-1968 C-2A(R): 1985-1989 |
| Number built | 58 |
| Developed from | Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeye |
The Grumman C-2 Greyhound is a twin-engine, high-wing cargo aircraft, designed to carry supplies and mail to and from aircraft carriers of the United States Navy. Its primary mission is carrier onboard delivery (COD). The aircraft provides critical logistics support to carrier strike groups. The aircraft is mainly used to transport high-priority cargo, mail and passengers between carriers and shore bases, and can also deliver cargo like jet engines and special stores.
Prototype C-2s first flew in 1964 and production followed the next year. The initial Greyhound aircraft were overhauled in 1973. In 1984, more C-2As were ordered under the name Reprocured C-2A or C-2A(R). The C-2As received updated propellers (from four to eight blades) and navigation.
Design and development
The C-2 Greyhound, a derivative of the E-2 Hawkeye, shares wings and power plants with the E-2, but has a widened fuselage with a rear loading ramp. The first of two prototypes flew in 1964. After successful testing, Grumman began production of the aircraft in 1965. The C-2 replaced the piston-engined Grumman C-1 Trader in the COD role. The original C-2A aircraft were overhauled to extend their operational life in 1973.
Powered by two Allison T56 turboprop engines, the C-2A can deliver up to 10,000 pounds (4,500 kg) of cargo, passengers or both. It can also carry litter patients in medical evacuation missions. A cage system or transport stand restrains cargo during carrier launch and landing. The large aft cargo ramp and door and a powered winch allow straight-in rear cargo loading and unloading for fast turnaround. The Greyhound's ability to airdrop supplies and personnel, fold its wings, and generate power for engine starting and other uses provide an operational versatility found in no other cargo aircraft.
The C-2 has four vertical stabilizers, of which three are fitted with rudders. A single vertical stabilizer large enough for adequate directional control would have made the aircraft too tall to fit on an aircraft carrier hangar deck. The four-stabiliser configuration has the advantage of placing the outboard rudder surfaces directly in line with the propeller wash, providing effective yaw control down to low airspeeds, as during takeoff and landing.[citation needed]
In 1984, the Navy ordered 39 new C-2A aircraft to replace older airframes. Dubbed the Reprocured C-2A or C-2A(R) due to the similarity to the original, the new aircraft has airframe improvements and better avionics. The older C-2As were phased out in 1987, and the last of the new models was delivered in 1990.
Upgrades
The 36 C-2A(R)s are undergoing a critical Service Life Extension Program (SLEP). The lifespan of the C-2A(R) was 10,000 hours, or 15,000 carrier landings; current plans require the C-2A to perform its mission supporting battle group operational readiness through 2015. The landing limit is quickly approaching for most of the airframes, and the SLEP will increase the Greyhound's projected life to 15,000 hours or 36,000 landings. Once the program is complete, it will allow the current 36 aircraft to operate until 2027. The SLEP includes structural improvements to the center wing, navigational upgrades including the addition of GPS and the dual CAINS II Navigation System, the addition of crash survivable flight incident recorders, and a Ground Proximity Warning System. The first upgraded C-2A(R) left NAVAIR Depot North Island on 12 September 2005, after sitting on the ground for three and a half years while the SLEP was developed and installed. A second airframe is currently nearing completion and it is anticipated that the remaining 34 aircraft will all undergo the SLEP upgrade within the next five years as operations and schedule permit. The eight-bladed NP2000 propeller is another part of this upgrade and is expected to be installed by 2010.[1]
In November 2008, the company also obtained a $37M contract for the maintenance, logistics and aviation administration services over five years for the C-2A fleet assigned to VX-20 test and evaluation squadron at Patuxent River. Northrop Grumman is currently working on an upgraded C-2 version, and has offered to modernize the fleet with components common to the E-2D Hawkeye.[2]
The C-2 competed with the V-22 Osprey for use as the future carrier onboard delivery (COD) aircraft. Northrop Grumman proposed modernizing the C-2; this included giving the Greyhounds the same wings, glass cockpit, and engines as the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye in two phases. The first would replace the engines and avionics, and the second would replace the wing structures. Installing the Rolls Royce T56-427A engines would cut fuel consumption by 13-15 percent with the same 8-bladed propeller. Having the same cockpit as the E-2D would deliver a 10 percent savings on integrated logistics support over the life of the airplane. With the new engines, the C-2 would be able to take off with a 10,000-pound (4,500 kg) payload in 125 °F (52 °C) degree heat and fly in excess of 1,400 nmi (1,600 mi; 2,600 km). Similar performance by the C-2A would require engine temperatures at 70 °F (21 °C), with higher temperatures requiring trading fuel for payload. One of the Greyhound's most important features is its internal volume of 860 cubic feet (24 m3) of cargo space.[3] Northrop Grumman stated that their approach could cost far less compared to the acquisition costs of the V-22 including $120 million from C-2 and E-2D commonality.[4] In February 2015, the Navy's FY 2016 budget confirmed the V-22 had been selected to perform the COD mission, and will eventually replace the C-2 in the U.S. Navy.[5]
Operational history
Between November 1985 and February 1987, VR-24 (former Navy Transport Squadron) and its seven reprocured C-2As demonstrated the aircraft's exceptional operational readiness. The squadron delivered 2,000,000 pounds (910 t) of cargo, 2,000,000 pounds (910 t) of mail and 14,000 passengers in the European and Mediterranean theaters. The C-2A(R) also served the carrier battle groups during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm during the Gulf War, as well as Operation Enduring Freedom during the War in Afghanistan.
The Common Support Aircraft was once considered as a replacement for the C-2, but failed to materialize. Currently, there are no plans to replace the C-2A(R) fleet, and there are no replacement aircraft in development. The USN has been exploring a replacement for the C-2, including the V-22 Osprey as of September 2009.[6] A MV-22 refueled on board the USS Nimitz (CVN-68) on 6 October 2012 as part of an evaluation on the feasibility of it potentially replacing the C-2 for the carrier onboard delivery (COD) role.[7]
On 2 June 2011, the US Navy loaned two C-2A(R) Greyhounds from VRC-40 (USN BuNos 162143 & 162165) to the French Navy. The two aircraft were stationed at Toulon-Hyères Airport, Hyères to assist in improving the flow of logistics and supplies to the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle operating in the Mediterranean Sea off Libya in support of the NATO intervention in Libya. After 16 days, both aircraft returned to the US via Shannon Airport, Ireland on 18 June 2011.[8]
Variants
- YC-2A
- Prototype, two converted from E-2A Hawkeyes with redesigned fuselage.
- C-2A
- Production variant, 17 built.
- C-2A(R)
- "Reprocured" C-2A with improved systems based on the E-2C variant, 39 built.
Operators
Accidents
- On 29 April 1965, YC-2A BuNo 148147 was on a test flight when it was ditched into Long Island Sound where the four crewmen died of exposure.[9]
- On 2 July 1969, Lieutenant Commander Peter Monroe Kennedy was presented the Air Medal with bronze star for the first award for heroic achievement in aerial flights pilot of a carrier onboard delivery aircraft. The aircraft was returning to Naval Air Station Cubi Point from USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) operating in Southeast Asia when there was failure in the engine gearbox and propeller assembly which resulted in the loss of the entire port propeller assembly and substantial portion of the gearbox and surrounding nacelle. The propeller, when it separated from the aircraft, penetrated the pressure bulkhead in the side and as the aircraft was at over 20,000 feet resulted in decompression. Despite the loss of pressurization and power, Kennedy and his copilot were able to perform a series of functions to secure the engine, descend to a lower altitude, and return to Cubi Point saving the lives of 14 military passengers as well as his flight crew.[citation needed][importance?]
- On 2 October 1969, C-2A BuNo 152796 from VRC-50, carrying 6 crew members and 21 passengers crashed in the Gulf of Tonkin en route from Naval Air Station Cubi Point to USS Constellation (CV-64) in the Gulf of Tonkin. All aboard were killed and are officially listed as missing in action as their bodies were never recovered.[10]
- On 15 December 1970, C-2A BuNo 155120 from VRC-50 crashed shortly after launch from USS Ranger (CV-61), killing all 4 crew members and 5 passengers.[11]
- On 12 December 1971, C-2A BuNo 152793 crashed en route from Cubi Point to Tan Son Nhat International Airport, killing all 4 crew members and 6 passengers.[12]
- On 29 January 1972, C-2A BuNo 155122 crashed while attempting to land on the USS Independence (CV-62) in the Mediterranean Sea, killing both crewmen.[13]
- On 16 November 1973, C-2A BuNo 152787 crashed into the sea after takeoff from Chania International Airport, killing 7 of 10 persons on board.[14]
Specifications (Reprocured C-2A)
General characteristics
- Crew: 2 pilots, 2 aircrew
- Capacity: 26 passengers, 12 litter patients
Performance
See also
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
References
- ^ C-2A Greyhound Logistics Aircraft [dead link]
- ^ "Osprey Takes on Greyhound in Fight Over U.S. Navy’s COD."
- ^ "The Future COD Aircraft Contenders: The Northrop Grumman C-2A Greyhound". Defensemedianetwork.com, 3 August 2013.
- ^ "Navy May Delay Decision On Platform To Replace Carrier Supply Planes". InsideDefense.com, 25 April 2014.
- ^ Navy 2016 Budget Funds V-22 COD Buy, Carrier Refuel - Breakingdefense.com, 2 February 2015
- ^ Tilghman, Andrew (23 September 2009). "Navy eyes Ospreys as COD replacements". Navy Times. Retrieved 21 April 2010.
- ^ Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Renee Candelario, USN (8 October 2012). "MV-22 Osprey Flight Operations Tested Aboard USS Nimitz". NNS121008-13. USS Nimitz Public Affairs. Retrieved 22 January 2013.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "US Navy Loans Greyhounds to France". AirForces Monthly (Key Publishing), Issue 281, August 2011, p. 13. ISSN 09557091. Retrieved: 4 October 2011.
- ^ "29 April 1965 Grumman C-2A Greyhound". aviation-safety.net. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
- ^ "2 October 1969 Grumman C-2A Greyhound". aviation-safety.net. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
- ^ "15 December 1970 Grumman C-2A Greyhound". aviation-safety.net. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
- ^ "12 December 1971 Grumman C-2A Greyhound". aviation-safety.net. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
- ^ "29 January 1972 Grumman C-2A Greyhound". aviation-safety.net. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
- ^ "16 November 1973 Grumman C-2A Greyhound". aviation-safety.net. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
USN_fact_filewas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ NAVAIR (November 1984). "Performance Summary" (PDF). Standard Aircraft Characteristics, Reprocured C-2A. Retrieved 21 April 2010.
External links
