The C-2A Greyhound is the U.S. Navy’s foundational carrier-onboard-delivery (COD) aircraft, supplying vital logistics support to aircraft carriers. Derived from the E-2 Hawkeye, the Greyhound is a twin-engine turboprop capable of delivering up to 10,000 pounds of payload, accommodating cargo, passengers, or a combination of both. Innovative features include folding wings for carrier operations and an onboard auxiliary power unit, providing self-sufficiency in remote areas. The fleet is currently being upgraded with NP2000 eight-blade propellers for improved performance and cost-effectiveness.
The manufacturing history traces back to Grumman Corporation, which developed the aircraft, with the prototype C-2 first flying in 1964. Production began in 1965 to replace the piston-engined C-1 Trader. The original C-2A airframes were produced between 1965–1968. In 1984, the Navy ordered 39 new airframes, dubbed the Reprocured C-2A (C-2A(R)), which featured airframe improvements and better avionics, with production running until 1989.
Northrop Grumman, the manufacturer, was formed in 1994 through the merger of Northrop Corporation and Grumman Aerospace. Both predecessors were significant forces in American aerospace and defense. Today, Northrop Grumman is a major technology company specializing in defense and commercial aerospace, electronics, and information-technology products and services.
Various platforms and access solutions are utilized to support maintenance across the aircraft. These solutions facilitate detailed access to critical areas, including the Nose Section (Radome, Windshield & Cockpit, Bulkhead), Forward Fuselage (Main Entry Door, Forward Wheel Well Access), Landing Gear, Middle Fuselage/Wing Box Area (Fuel Tanks, Oil Maintenance), Wing & Engine Pylon (Engine inlet/exhaust, Fan, Turbine, Hydraulics), AFT Fuselage, and Tail Section (Vertical and Horizontal Stabilizers, Rudder).
