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Navy tests future of carrier delivery missions on the USS George H.W. Bush

Posted at 10:04 AM, Aug 13, 2018
and last updated 2018-08-14 08:22:48-04

NORFOLK, Va. - The Navy is testing the way it will deliver goods, mail, and people to aircraft carriers at sea in the future with the Norfolk-based USS George H.W. Bush.

The Navy plans to replace the aging C-2A Greyhound aircraft with the CMV-22B Osprey at Naval Station Norfolk.

The C-2A was commissioned in the 1960s, refurbished in 1973, and again in 2010.

The Navy says it has reached the end of its service life, and must be replaced.

Navy Osprey aircraft will deliver personnel, mail, and cargo to/from aircraft carriers from land-based supply centers in Norfolk and San Diego.

This month, Osprey pilots tested rolling landing and takeoffs in excess of 57,000 pounds on the flight deck of the Bush.

Currently the C-2A is limited to hauling 49,000 pounds at landing.

The testing on the Bush also included integrating the Osprey into flight deck operations, as well as heavy gross weight rolling landings and takeoffs.

“I started off flying Greyhound carrier onboard delivery (COD) aircraft and I love the platform,” said LCDR Steven Tschanz, a test pilot assigned to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (HX) 21, in a Navy release. “With that said, nothing lasts forever and the Navy came up with a solution to move us into the future with the CMV-22 Osprey.”

Unlike the current Greyhound aircraft, the Osprey combines both fixed-wing aircraft speed in flight along with vertical helicopter-like lift capabilities. That means the Osprey requires a much shorter runway than a Greyhound.

The Navy says additional benefits of the Osprey includes extended operational range, a public address system for passengers, and improved lighting system for cargo loading.

The CMV-22 Osprey is expected to achieve Initial Operational Capability by 2021.

Related: 

Navy plans to replace aging C-2A Greyhounds with V-22 Ospreys