The Navy has begun the process of finding a replacement for its venerable C-2A Greyhound carrier resupply aircraft, soliciting industry for input into an upcoming analysis of alternatives focused on the next variant of that platform.
The request for information, issued by the warfare analysis and integration directorate at Naval Air Systems Command last week, will feed into an AOA exploring potential solutions to meet “operational need for an aircraft carrier based aircraft capable of performing the [carrier onboard devlivery] mission in support of the Carrier Strike Group,” according to the NAVAIR notice.
The AOA will look specifically at options that can meet medium lift, long range COD capabilities outlined by the Air Warfare division (N88) at Navy headquarters. The current COD mission is being conducted by the Northrop Grumman [NG] built C2A Greyhound.
“This AOA . . . is considering needs and options for carrier based [onboard delivery] aircraft in the 2026 timeframe,” according to the notice. Further, the information provided by industry participants will “determine the existence of sources that can deliver systems capable of performing the . . . mission” under the given parameters outlined in the AOA, according to the service notice.
Those key parameters include the ability to launch resupply missions from all carrier-class ships, in “tropical day” and ‘hot day” conditions. The platform itself must be able to travel within a 1,300 nautical-mile range, hauling a maximum load of 20 passengers or 4,000-pounds of cargo. The aircraft must be able to transport a combined passenger and cargo payload of 10,000-pounds to and from ship to shore, the solicitation adds.
While the notice was clear that the Navy was not entertaining actual platform offers until the AOA is complete, V-22 Osprey maker Boeing [BA] is looking at what other missions the versatile aircraft could fly for the Air Force and Marine Corps.
The use of Ospreys for combat search and rescue missions in Libya “opened a lot of eyes” in terms of what the aircraft could do, Boeing’s military aircraft chief Chris Chadwick said in April.
The Marines are in the midst of evaluating tactics, techniques and procedures for the MV-22 to perform tactical combat resupply for ground forces. Company officials are also pitching the Osprey as a possible Greyhound replacement. However, the trick is to make sure that whatever additional roles the V-22 may pick up those missions take advantage of all of the aircraft’s attributes, he said at the time.
NAVAIR planners anticipate a replacement to hit the skies no later than 2026, it adds.