Grumman C-2 Greyhound

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grumman_C-2_Greyhound

The Grumman C-2 Greyhound is a twin-engine, high-wing cargo aircraft, designed
to carry supplies, mail, and passengers to and from aircraft carriers of the
United States Navy. Its primary mission is carrier onboard delivery (COD). The
aircraft provides critical logistics support to carrier strike groups. The
aircraft is mainly used to transport high-priority cargo, mail, and passengers
between carriers and shore bases, and can also deliver cargo like jet engines
and special stores.

Prototype C-2s first flew in 1964, and production followed the next year. The
initial Greyhound aircraft were overhauled in 1973. In 1984, more C-2As were
ordered under designation Reprocured C-2A or C-2A(R). In 2010 all C-2A(R)
aircraft received updated propellers (from four to eight blades) and
navigational updates (glass cockpit).

The C-2 Greyhound, a derivative of the E-2 Hawkeye, shares wings and power
plants with the E-2, but has a widened fuselage with a rear loading ramp. The
first of two prototypes flew in 1964. After successful testing, Grumman began
production of the aircraft in 1965. The C-2 replaced the piston-engined Grumman
C-1 Trader in the COD role. The original C-2A aircraft were overhauled to extend
their operational life in 1973.


Role
Carrier-capable transport / Carrier onboard delivery

National origin
United States

Manufacturer
Grumman
Northrop Grumman

First flight
18 November 1964

Introduction
1966

Status
C-2A: Retired
C-2A(R): In service

Primary user
United States Navy

Produced
C-2A: 1965-1968
C-2A(R): 1985-1989

Number built
C-2A: 17
C-2A(R): 39

Unit cost

US$40.01 million in 2016


Developed from
Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeye

Between November 1985 and February 1987, VR-24 (former Navy Transport Squadron)
and its seven reprocured C-2As demonstrated the aircraft's exceptional
operational readiness. The squadron delivered 2,000,000 pounds (910 t) of cargo,
2,000,000 pounds (910 t) of mail and 14,000 passengers in the European and
Mediterranean theaters. The C-2A(R) also served the carrier battle groups during
Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm during the Gulf War, as well as
Operation Enduring Freedom during the War in Afghanistan.

The C-2 competed with the V-22 Osprey for use as the future carrier onboard
delivery (COD) aircraft. Northrop Grumman proposed modernizing the C-2 by
installing the same wings, glass cockpit, and engines as the E-2D Advanced
Hawkeye in two phases. The first would replace the engines and avionics, and the
second would replace the wing structures. Installing the Rolls Royce T56-427A
engines would cut fuel consumption by 13-15 percent with the same 8-bladed
propeller; this would enable take offs with a 10,000-pound (4,500 kg) payload in
125 °F (52 °C) degree heat and a range in excess of 1,400 nmi (1,600 mi; 2,600
km), similar performance by the C-2A requires engine temperatures at 70 °F (21
°C), requiring trading fuel for payload. Adopting the E-2D's cockpit would
deliver a 10 percent savings on lifetime logistical support. One of the
Greyhound's most important features is its internal volume of 860 cubic feet (24
m3) of cargo space. Northrop Grumman stated that their approach could cost far
less than the V-22 including $120 million from C-2 and E-2D commonality.

Specifications (Reprocured C-2A)

General characteristics
Crew: 2 pilots, 2 aircrew
Capacity: 26 passengers, 12 litter patients
Payload: 10,000 lb (4,536 kg)
Length: 56 ft 10 in (17.30 m)
Wingspan: 80 ft 7 in (24.60 m)
Height: 15 ft 10½ in (4.85 m)
Wing area: 700 ft² (65 m²)
Empty weight: 33,746 lb (15,310 kg)
Useful load: 20,608 lb (9,350 kg)
Loaded weight: 49,394 lb (22,405 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 60,000 lb (24,655 kg)
Powerplant: 2 × Allison T56-A-425 turboprops, 4,600 shp (3,400 kW) each

Performance
Maximum speed: 343 knots (394 mph, 635 km/h) at 12,000 ft (3,660 m)
Cruise speed: 251 knots (289 mph, 465 km/h) at 28,700 ft (8,750 m)
Stall speed: 82 knots (94 mph, 152 km/h) at idle power
Range: 1,300 nm (1,496 mi, 2,400 km)
Service ceiling: 33,500 ft (10,210 m)
Rate of climb: 3,700 ft/min (at sea level) (13.3 m/s)
Wing loading: 77.6 lb/ft² (378.9 kg/m²)





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