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	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 While the older C-2s were withdrawn from service by 1987, those of the second batch remain in use, and two C-2 Greyhounds equip each carrier air wing.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:
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