Will Replace C-2A Greyhound Aircraft

In a memo dated January 5, 2015, Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus,Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan Greenert, and Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Joseph Dunford announced that the Navy is set to acquire four V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft to replace the aging C-2A Greyhound aircraft that carry mail, cargo and passengers to aircraft carriers at sea.

Breaking Defense reports that the Memorandum of Understanding marks a major victory for V-22 proponents such as the Naval Air Systems Command, which have long advocated for the VTOL replacement for the CODs (Carrier Onboard Delivery).

The memo states that “The Navy is responsible for modifying these V-22s into an HV-22 configuration for the COD mission. The parties agree that subsequent documents will provide details on the concept of operations and milestones. A memorandum of agreement will detail reimbursable Marine Corps support for the Navy’s HV-22 transition, which includes training and potential deployment of Marine MV-22 aircraft and personnel to support COD requirements.”

The first prototype C-2A flew in 1964, according to the report. The V-22 program was launched in the early 1980s.

The memo calls for the acquisition of four V-22 aircraft for COD missions from fiscal 2018 to FY 2020.

(Images from file)

FMI: www.navy.mil/secnav