One of the oldest aircraft employed by the United States Navy on its aircraft carriers will soon be bidding us farewell. The turbopropped, decked C-2A Greyhound, produced by Northrop Grumman in the 1960s, will be replaced by the CMV-22B, which will enter service in 2024.In today’s video, we are going to cover the technical features and advantages the CMV-22B has over its predecessor.
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The C-2A Greyhound turboprop, manufactured by Northrop Grumman in the 1960s, will leave the scene by 2024 for the CMV-22B to enter service. “The CMV-22B brings expanded capabilities not only to the carrier onboard delivery mission, but to the high-end fight,” said U.S. Navy Captain Dewon Chaney, Commodore, Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Wing. “We are anxious to get it to the fleet and show off its immense capabilities and agile flexibility.”
The C-2 Greyhound is a twin-engine, high-wing cargo aircraft designed to provide logistics support to carrier strike groups of the United States Navy. The aircraft is manufactured by Northrop Grumman and has been in service since the 1960s.
The C-2 is capable of transporting up to 10,000 pounds of cargo or up to 26 passengers. Its high-wing design allows for easy loading and unloading of cargo and passengers, while its twin engines provide ample power for extended range and endurance.
One of the unique features of the C-2 is its ability to perform carrier onboard delivery (COD) operations, which involves landing and taking off from the deck of an aircraft carrier at sea. This capability allows the C-2 to provide critical logistics support to carrier strike groups while at sea, ensuring that the group remains supplied with the necessary equipment and personnel.
The C-2 has undergone several upgrades over the years to improve its capabilities and extend its service life. The most recent upgrade, known as the Greyhound Service Life Extension Program (GSLEP), involved replacing the aircraft’s aging engines and avionics systems with modern, more efficient ones.
The C-2 has been involved in several notable operations over the years, including the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, and the War in Afghanistan. In addition to its primary role as a logistics support aircraft, the C-2 has also been used for other missions, such as search and rescue and humanitarian relief operations.
Despite its long and successful service history, the C-2 has faced some criticism for its age and the cost of maintaining and upgrading the aircraft. However, the U.S. Navy has maintained that the C-2 remains a critical component of carrier strike groups and that its unique capabilities make it an essential asset in naval operations.
Overall, the C-2 Greyhound is a versatile and reliable cargo aircraft that has played a critical role in supporting the U.S. Navy’s carrier strike groups for decades. Its ability to perform COD operations and transport cargo and personnel to and from aircraft carriers at sea make it a vital asset for naval operations around the world.