The C-2A Greyhound , twin-engine cargo aircraft designed to land on aircraft carriers, provides critical logistics support to aircraft carriers. Nicknamed the "COD" for its Carrier Onboard Delivery mission, the Grumman C-2A Greyhound is a carrier-based transport capable of carrying a mix of 10,000 pounds of high-priority cargo and passengers. Powered by two T-6 turboprop engines, the COD can accommodate up to 26 passengers or up to 20 litter patients.
The COD is capable of carrying jet engines, dropping special forces, or delivering the mail. Cargo tiedown is facilitated by a cage system that can restrain the cargo under loads of up to 20 g's forward and from the catapulting and arresting loads encountered during carrier operation. The COD is capable of air dropping search and rescue (SAR) equipment. 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-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, OMEGA, TACAN, dual VOR, UHF/DF, LF/ADF, weather radar, Doppler radar, and two carrier approach systems. An automatic flight control system provides directional stability augmentation, three axis attitude control, and altitude hold control. The crew consists of a Pilot, Copilot, Crewchief, and Loadmaster / Second Crewman.
The C-2A Carrier Onboard Delivery (COD) transport aircraft are assigned to Fleet Logistics Support Squadrons (VRCs). Greyhounds serve 12 carriers from two primary locations:
* VRC-30, which is based at Naval Air North Island, CA and currently operates 12 C-2A aircraft throughout the Pacific and Central Commands, including two C-2A aircraft permanently forward deployed to Japan on the USS Kitty Hawk. * VRC-40 is based at Naval Air Station Norfolk, Va.
Nineteen were bought in the late sixties to replace the aging C-l Trader in the "carrier onboard delivery", or "COD", role. The original C-2A aircraft were overhauled, and their operational life extended, in 1973. The old C-2As were referred to as "SLEPs" because they've received "service life extension program" modifications.
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) * Loaded weight: 49,394 lb (22,405 kg) * Useful load: 20,608 lb (9,350 kg) * Max takeoff weight: 60,000 lb (24,655 kg) * Powerplant: 2× Allison T56-A-425 turboprops, 4,800 shp (3,400 kW) each
Performance
* Maximum speed: 343 knots (394 mph, 553 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: 2,610 ft/min (13.3 m/s) * Wing loading: 77.6 lb/ft² (378.9 kg/m²)
And let's get one thing straight. There's a big difference between a pilot and an aviator. One is a technician; the other is an artist in love with flight. — E. B. Jeppesen
No, I don’t believe they had ejections seats for two reasons. 1. Rumor has it during the initial design process, the VR guys were given two choices. They could either have ejection seats or the latest “gyro stabilized” cub holders that were guaranteed not to spill one drop of coffee or soda up to 22 degrees angle of bank or 1.5 g’s. Like most transport pilots, they opted for the cup holders. 2. Besides, it’s a little hard for a transport plane to have ejections seats for the pilots and non for the passengers and crew. It’s not worth living if you had to explain why you punched out and 400 people went in with the bird. Sort of like “Sully” and his FO punching out over the GW Bridge when it looked bad.
