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C-2 Greyhound Grumman
C-2 Greyhound
Carrier Onboard Delivery Transport

DESCRIPTION:
Based on the success of the E-2 Hawkeye AEW aircraft, Grumman proposed a carrier onboard delivery (COD) derivative to transport vital supplies or personnel between ships at sea and distant shore bases. Such an aircraft allows the carrier battle forces to remain at peak operability even when too far from shore for supplies to be ferried by helicopter.

Once the US Navy accepted the design, Grumman began production of 19 aircraft. These planes differ from the E-2 in the deletion of the rotating radome, having a larger diameter fuselage, addition of rear cargo doors, strengthening of the fuselage deck for heavy loads, and elimination of the tailplane dihedral made necessary by the radome installation. The resulting wider and deeper fuselage provides space for up to 39 troops or personnel, 20 stretchers and attendants, or 10,000 lb (4,535 kg) of cargo pallets.

The initial 19 C-2 aircraft supplemented the older C-1 Trader in the COD role until the mid-1980s when the Navy ordered an additional 39 C-2A Greyhounds. This second batch of aircraft was based on the updated E-2C airframe and incorporated updated avionics and engines as well as improved passenger accomodations. While the older C-2s were withdrawn from service by 1987, those of the second batch remain in use, and two C-2 Greyhounds equip each carrier air wing.

Plans had called for the C-2 to be replaced by a new plane called the Common Support Aircraft, but that effort appears to have been shelved. The C-2 will likely remain in service until at least 2020.

Last modified 21 February 2011

HISTORY:
First Flight 18 November 1964
Service Entry

December 1964

CREW: four: pilot, co-pilot, crew chief, loadmaster

PASSENGERS: up to 39 troops, up to 20 stretchers and 4 nurses

ESTIMATED COST:

$39 million

AIRFOIL SECTIONS:
Wing Root NACA 63A216
Wing Tip

NACA 63A414

DIMENSIONS:
Length 57.56 ft (17.54 m)
Wingspan 80.58 ft (24.56 m)
Height 16.92 ft (5.16 m)
Wing Area 700.0 ft² (65.03 m²)
Canard Area

not applicable

WEIGHTS:
Empty 31,155 lb (14,130 kg)
Normal Takeoff unknown
Max Takeoff 54,355 lb (24,655 kg)
Fuel Capacity unknown
Max Payload

10,000 lb (4,535 kg) [ship operation]
15,000 lb (6,805 kg) [land operation]

PROPULSION:
Powerplant two Allison T56-425 turboprops
Thrust 9,820 ehp (7,322 kW)

PERFORMANCE:
Max Level Speed at altitude: 390 mph (625 km/h)
at sea level: unknown
cruise speed: 300 mph (480 km/h)
Initial Climb Rate unknown
Service Ceiling 33,500 ft (10,210 m)
Range typical: 1,300 nm (2,410 km)
ferry: 1,565 nm (2,900 km)
g-Limits unknown

ARMAMENT:
Gun none
Stations none
Air-to-Air Missile none
Air-to-Surface Missile none
Bomb none
Other none

KNOWN VARIANTS:
C-2A Initial production model similar to the E-2 but with a larger diameter fuselage and lacking the radome; 19 built
C-2A Despite the identical designation, this second batch is based on the E-2C model and includes more powerful engines, updated avionics, improved corrosion protection, installation of an auxiliary power unit, and better passenger comfort; 39 built

KNOWN COMBAT RECORD:

Vietnam War (USN, 1965-1972)
Iraq - Operation Desert Storm (USN, 1991)
Afghanistan - Operation Enduring Freedom (USN, 2001-present)
Iraq - Operation Iraqi Freedom (USN, 2003-present)

KNOWN OPERATORS:

United States (US Navy)

3-VIEW SCHEMATIC:

C-2 Greyhound


SOURCES:
  • Bishop, Chris, ed. The Encyclopedia of Modern Military Weapons: The Comprehensive Guide to Over 1,000 Weapon Systems from 1945 to the Present Day. NY: Barnes & Noble, 1999, p. 348.
  • Donald, David, ed. The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. NY: Barnes & Noble, 1997, p. 472.
  • Rendall, David. Jane's Aircraft Recognition Guide, 2nd ed. London: Harper Collins Publishers, 1999, p. 167.
  • US Navy C-2 Fact Sheet









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