C-2 Greyhound | |
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A U.S. Navy C-2A(R) Greyhound of fleet logistics support squadron VRC-40 Rawhides | |
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 |
Developed from | Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeye |
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 such as jet engines and special stores, mail, and passengers between carriers and shore bases.[1]
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 U.S. Navy is to start replacing the remaining 27 C-2As with 38 Bell Boeing CMV-22Bs Osprey tiltrotors in 2020, with full fielding in 2028.