| C-2 Greyhound |
|---|
 A C-2 Greyhound in flight |
| Description |
|---|
| Role | Cargo, passenger transport |
| Crew | 3 (2 pilots, flight engineer) + 39 troops or 28 passengers |
| Dimensions |
|---|
| Length | 56 ft 10 in | 17.3 m |
| Wingspan | 80 ft 7 in | 24.6 m |
| Height | 15 ft 11 in | 4.85 m |
| Wing area | 700 ft² | 65 m² |
| Weights |
|---|
| Empty | 36,346 lb | 16,486 kg |
| Loaded | | |
| Maximum take-off | 54,354 lb | 24,655 kg |
| Powerplant |
|---|
| Engines | Two Allison T-56-A-425 turboprops |
| Power | | 3,400 kW each |
| Performance |
|---|
| Maximum speed | 357 mph | 574 km/h |
| Ferry range | 1,796 mi | 2,889 km |
| Service ceiling | 33,500 ft | 10,211 m |
| Rate of climb | 2,610 ft/min | 796 m/min |
The C-2A Greyhound is a twin-engine cargo aircraft, designed to provide critical logistics support to aircraft carriers of the United States Navy. Its primary mission is Carrier Onboard Delivery (COD).
Powered by two Allison T-56 turboprop engines, the C-2A can deliver a payload of up to 10,000 pounds (4,500 kg). The cabin can readily accommodate cargo, passengers or both. It is also equipped to accept litter patients in medical evacuation missions. Priority cargo such as jet engines can be transported from shore to ship in a matter of hours. A cage system or transport stand provides cargo restraint for loads during carrier launch or landing. The large aft cargo ramp and door and a powered winch allow straight-in rear cargo loading and downloading for fast turnaround. The C-2A's open-ramp flight capability allows airdrop of supplies and personnel from a carrier-launched aircraft. This, plus its folding wings and an on-board auxiliary power unit for engine starting and ground power self-sufficiency in remote areas provide an operational versatility found in no other cargo aircraft.
The C-2 Greyhound is a derivative of the E-2 Hawkeye and replaced the piston-engined C-1 Trader in the Carrier Onboard Delivery role. The C-2 shares wings, power plants and empennage with the E-2 Hawkeye, but has a widened fuselage with a rear loading ramp. The first of two prototypes flew in 1964 and production began the following year. The original C-2A aircraft were overhauled to extend their operational life in 1973. In 1984, a contract was awarded for 39 new C-2A aircraft to replace older airframes. Dubbed the Reprocured C-2A due to the similarity to the original, the new aircraft includes 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. During the period November 1985 to February 1987, VR-24 , operating with seven Reprocured C-2As, demonstrated exceptional operational readiness while delivering two million pounds (900 t) of cargo, two million pounds (900 t) of mail and 14,000 passengers in support of the European and Mediterranean theatres. The C-2A also provided support to the carrier battle groups during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, as well as currently during Operation Enduring Freedom.
General Characteristics
- Contractor: Grumman Aerospace Corporation
- Unit Cost: $38.96 million
- Propulsion: Two Allison T-56-A-425 turboprop engines; 4,600 shaft horsepower (3,400 kW) each
- Length: 57 ft 7 in (17.3 m)
- Height : 17 ft (5 m)
- Weight: 57,000 lb (26,000 kg) max gross takeoff
- Cruising Speed: 300 knots (345 mph, 553 km/h)
- Ceiling: 30,000 ft (9,100 m)
- Range: 1,300 nautical miles (2,400 km)
- Crew: Four
