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C-2A Greyhound

Description:

The Northrop Grumman C-2A Greyhound is the Navy's only carrier-onboard-delivery (COD) aircraft of high-priority equipment and personnel. During a typical six-month peacetime aircraft carrier deployment, a two-aircraft C-2 detachment will accumulate approximately 1,000 flight hours, transport about 5,000 passengers and haul nearly one million pounds of cargo.

The C-2A is currently flown by the west coast squadron VRC-30 and by the east coast squadron VRC-40.

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Features:

The C-2A Greyhound is a carrier-based transport capable of carrying high-priority cargo and up to 28 passengers for carrier on-board delivery (COD). This aircraft has the largest cargo payload of any COD aircraft. Litter patients can also be accommodated. High-priority items the C-2A can deliver include special stores, jet engine components, and afterburners. The maximum weight for payload and route support equipment combined is 10,000 pounds. Cargo tiedown is facilitated by a cage system that restrains the cargo from the catapulting and arresting loads encountered during carrier operation. The large aft cargo ramp/door and powered winch facilitate fast turnaround time by straight-in rear cargo loading and unloading.

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About the Equipment:

The C-2A has a wide range of communications and radio navigation equipment that is compatible with both military and civil airways on a worldwide basis. Communications equipment includes HF, VHF, and UHF; radio navigation aids include GPS, TACAN, dual VOR, UHF/DF, LF/ADF, weather radar, Doppler radar, and two carrier approach systems. The crew consists of a Pilot, Copilot, Crewchief, and Loadmaster / Second Crewman. C-2A Greyhounds with upgraded communications, navigation, instrumentation packages, and a Critical Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) will provide cost-effective, carrier-on-board delivery for the next 20 years.

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History:

The C-2 is derived from the E-2. The first flight of the prototype occurred on November 18, 1964, and the delivery of the serial planes started in 1966.

The original C-2A aircraft were overhauled, and their operational life extended, in 1973. In 1984, a contract was awarded for 39 new C-2A aircraft to replace earlier the airframes. Dubbed the Reprocured C-2A due to the similarity to the original, the new aircraft include substantial improvements in airframe and avionic systems. All the older C-2As were phased out in 1987, and the last of the new models was delivered in 1990.

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General Characteristics:

General Characteristics C-2A
Primary Function	Carrier-on-board delivery (COD) aircraft
Contractor	Grumann Aerospace Corp.
Unit Cost	$38.96 million
Propulsion	Two Allison T-56-A-425 turboprop engines; 4,600 shaft horsepower each
Length	57 feet 7 inches 17.3 meters
Height	17 feet 5 meters
Weight	Max. gross, take-off: 57,000 lbs 25,650 kg
Cruising Speed	Max.: 300 knots 345 mph 553 kmph
Ceiling	30,000 feet 9,100 meters
Range	1,300 nautical miles 1,496 statute miles 2408 km
Crew	Four

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C-2A Image Gallery:

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