http://defense.aol.com/2012/04/06/marines-push-quietly-but-hard-for-navy-to-replace-c-2s-with-v/
What this poorly researched article does not tell you is that the V-22 is not pressurized and offers a far lower ceiling than that of the C-2. This is important when flying much needed loads to a carrier group surrounded by terrible weather. Further, the the Osprey’s range is a third less than the C-2′s. I have had the pleasure to chat with a ton of C-2 crews over the years, and to put it simply the only replacement for a C-2, some 45 years after it’s birth, is another C-2. Please NAVAIR, just produce or rebuild the C-2 utilizing improvements from the E-2D Hawkeye program and be done with this Osprey nonsense.
Love to read your articles and opinions. For what its worth, the current Ospreys are not pressurized, but the Block A’s were at one time. The pressurized cockpit/cabin door has since been retrofitted with a lighter one and the exiting pressurized ramp/door is being replaced with a newer lighter version. In Airplane mode, the ceiling is 25,000, while helicopter mode its 10,000. I know the osprey allows 20,000 lbs total internal cargo, do you know what the c2-a’s is? After reading the linked article, what would the Navy change to hub and spoke system to?
Peter- thanks so much for commenting. Where did you hear that about the new pressurized components for the V-22? I heard there were other factors beyond doors and ramps which made pressurization a major issue.
I think they were referring to the Osprey’s unique capability of hauling loads directly to their final destination, sometimes referred to as “the last combat mile.” The C-2 cannot deliver supplies to ships around the battle group etc.
Sorry for the confusion, but I didn’t mean to convey that the original pressurized doors were upgraded for pressurization purposes.
What I meant to say was, when the pressurization/NBC requirements were dropped, they removed the “Beefed Up” doors with “Normal” doors.
I’m sure there were other factors. I have heard there were wire harness sealing issues in the cockpit/cabin/wing stow/sponson areas.
Ok thanks for clearing that up. I was trying to find out if they were going to retrofit this back in for a next generation proposal but all I kept finding were tidbits of info how the aircraft would be tough to pressurize because of the wing folding mechanisms and other items.