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U.S. Navy C-2A Crew Conducted Qualification Flights with French Navy Aircraft Carrier

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Naval Forces News - USA, France
 
 
 
U.S. Navy C-2A Crew Conducted Qualification Flights with French Navy Aircraft Carrier
 
On January 6th, a US Navy C-2A Greyhound carrier on-board delivery (COD) aircraft from fleet logistic support squadron VRC-40 "Rawhides" performed some qualification flights with French Navy (Marine Nationale) aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle. Nine traps (arrested landing) and a series of touch and go were performed by three US Navy pilots. The goal was to re-qualify them in operations aboard the French aircraft carrier.
     
A US Navy C-2A Greyhound carrier on-board delivery (COD) aircraft from fleet logistic support squadron VRC-40 "Rawhides" about to perform a "touch and go" with French Navy aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle. The French CVN is currently deployed in the Gulf in support of coalition operations against Daesh.
A US Navy C-2A Greyhound carrier on-board delivery (COD) aircraft from fleet logistic support squadron VRC-40 "Rawhides" about to perform a "touch and go" with French Navy aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle. The French CVN is currently deployed in the Gulf in support of coalition operations against Daesh. Picture: C.Cavallo©Marine Nationale
     
US Navy Nimitz class aircraft carriers and the Charles de Gaulle have a few differences. Among them are the layout of the deck, the location of the mirror, only three arresting wires (as opposed to four on the Nimitz class). To be perfectly comfortable during operational missions, pilots must know the working environment of the flight deck. Naval aviation pilots must pass a carrier qualification whenever they are switching aircraft carrier types. It consists of a "go around", several touch-and-go on deck and at least one arrested landing. The pilot is then perfectly comfortable to conduct operational missions.
     
The C-2A Greyhound carrier about to be launched from aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle
The C-2A Greyhound about to be launched from aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle
Picture: C.Cavallo©Marine Nationale
     
The presence of American sailors aboard the French aircraft carrier also contributed in the success of this requalification. A Landing Signal Officer (LSO) from aircraft carrier Harry S. Truman was present on board. The American LSO gave his expertise to his French counterparts on how to guide the C-2 aircraft type during the final landing phase. The French aircraft handling teams got familiarized again in the movements and specific employment characteristics of the C-2 on the Charles de Gaulle flight deck.
     
The C-2A Greyhound carrier maneuvers at the stern of aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle
The C-2A Greyhound maneuvers at the stern of aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle
Picture: C.Cavallo©Marine Nationale
     
Back in June 2011 two US Navy C-2A(R) Greyhounds from VRC-40 conducted several operational carrier on-board delivery (COD) missions for the French aircraft carrier operating in the Mediterranean Sea during the NATO intervention in Libya.

The C-2A Greyhound transport aircraft is a derivative of the E-2C Hawkeye airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft. They share the same wings and power plants but the C-2A has a larger fuselage and a rear loading ramp. The Greyhound provides logistical support missions between ground and aircraft carriers. Powered by two 5000 hp Allison T56-A-425 turboprops engines, they can carry up to 26 passengers and four tons of cargo.

The US Navy will replace its C-2A aircraft with a Navy variant of the V-22 tilt-rotor aircraft to answer its future Carrier Onboard Delivery requirements.