As the over 50 years old C-2 Greyhound prepares for retirement, U.S. Navy’s Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson started carrier-onboard-delivery (COD) operational tests for the V-22 Osprey aircraft June 12.
A V-22 Osprey from Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron (VMX) 1 is being tested and evaluated as it is scheduled to become the singular logistics platform on an aircraft carrier for future carrier on-board delivery operations.
“These operations present an opportunity for our flight crews to gain experience landing on an aircraft carrier as opposed to landing on an amphibious ship,” said Marine Corps Lt. Col. Brett Hart , VMX-1 executive officer. “It allows us to become accustomed to a different set of operating procedures, and additionally allows Air Department Sailors on board Carl Vinson to become accustomed to landing and handling tilt rotor aircraft.”
Since the Osprey is still a new platform for aircraft carriers, there were some things the flight deck crew had to be mindful of.
“I would encourage flight deck personnel to be aware of the extreme downwash that the V-22 generates,” said Hart.
“As we phase out the C-2s and start implementing the V-22s during this evaluation phase, this is the first time our Sailors have had a chance to directly deal with a new aircraft,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Trell Matthias , an aircraft director assigned to Carl Vinson’s Air Department, V-1 Division.
Northrop Grumman’s C-2 Greyhound has served as the U.S. Navy’s carrier-onboard-delivery (COD) aircraft, providing critical logistics support since 1964. The C-2 was capable of delivering a payload of up to 10,000 pounds with a cabin that accommodated both cargo and passengers. Similarly to the V-22, the Grumman C-2 Greyhound also had folding wings.
Carl Vinson is currently underway conducting command assessment of readiness and training (CARAT) II off the coast of Southern California.