Operational history Grumman C-2 Greyhound

a c-2 greyhound launches carrier @ sea

between november 1985 , february 1987, vr-24 (former navy transport squadron) , 7 reprocured c-2as demonstrated aircraft s exceptional operational readiness. squadron delivered 2,000,000 pounds (910 t) of cargo, 2,000,000 pounds (910 t) of mail , 14,000 passengers in european , mediterranean theaters. c-2a(r) served carrier battle groups during operations desert shield , desert storm during gulf war, operation enduring freedom during war in afghanistan.

on 2 june 2011, navy loaned 2 c-2a(r) greyhounds vrc-40 (usn bunos 162143 & 162165) french navy. 2 aircraft stationed @ toulon-hyères airport, hyères assist in improving flow of logistics , supplies french aircraft carrier charles de gaulle operating in mediterranean sea off libya in support of nato intervention in libya. after 16 days, both aircraft returned via shannon airport, ireland on 18 june 2011.

uss george washington crew unload mail 2 c-2a greyhounds in 2011


replacement

the common support aircraft once considered replacement c-2, failed materialize. usn exploring replacement c-2 in september 2009. 3 options suggested replacements aging c-2s: new batch of updated c-2s, transport version of lockheed s-3 viking, , tilt-rotor bell boeing v-22 osprey.

the c-2 competed v-22 osprey use future carrier onboard delivery (cod) aircraft. northrop grumman proposed modernizing c-2 installing same wings, glass cockpit, , engines e-2d advanced hawkeye in 2 phases. first replace engines , avionics, , second replace wing structures. installing rolls royce t56-427a engines cut fuel consumption 13-15 percent same 8-bladed propeller; enable take offs 10,000-pound (4,500 kg) payload in 125 °f (52 °c) degree heat , range in excess of 1,400 nmi (1,600 mi; 2,600 km), similar performance c-2a requires engine temperatures @ 70 °f (21 °c), requiring trading fuel payload. adopting e-2d s cockpit deliver 10 percent savings on lifetime logistical support. 1 of greyhound s important features internal volume of 860 cubic feet (24 m) of cargo space. northrop grumman stated approach cost far less v-22 including $120 million c-2 , e-2d commonality.

in february 2015, navy s fy 2016 budget confirmed v-22 s selection cod mission, replacing c-2a. procurement begin in 2018 , navy model of aircraft called cmv-22b. 44 purchased , deliveries start in 2020.