Carrier onboard delivery
Encyclopedia
Carrier Onboard Delivery (COD) is a military term used to describe type of aircraft which are able to ferry personnel, mail, and high-priority cargo (like replacement parts) on and off a naval ship
(typically an aircraft carrier
).
recognition of need for a cargo plane capable of carrier landings resulted in airframe conversion of Grumman TBM-3 Avenger
torpedo bombers to unarmed seven-passenger COD aircraft designated TBM-3R. Replacement of TBM-3Rs began in the late 1950s. Grumman built a cargo variant of its twin-piston-engined S-2 Tracker
anti-submarine warfare
bomber known as the C-1A Trader
. The Navy in 1963 briefly experimented with the C-130 Hercules
for COD. In the late 1960s Grumman began production of a cargo variant of its twin-turboprop E-2 Hawkeye
Airborne Early Warning
aircraft known as the C-2A Greyhound. Five Lockheed US-3A Viking
aircraft were also used from the early 1980s to the mid-1990s. Today the C-2 remains the U.S. Navy's primary COD vehicle. The entire fleet of 36 C-2As are currently undergoing a Critical Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) to extend their operational lifespans.
Several U.S. Navy "Fleet Logistics Support Squadrons" provided COD services aboard carriers since the Second World War:
Naval ship
A naval ship is a ship used for combat purposes, commonly by a navy. Naval ships are differentiated from civilian ships by construction and purpose...
(typically an aircraft carrier
Aircraft carrier
An aircraft carrier is a warship designed with a primary mission of deploying and recovering aircraft, acting as a seagoing airbase. Aircraft carriers thus allow a naval force to project air power worldwide without having to depend on local bases for staging aircraft operations...
).
History
Early United States NavyUnited States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
recognition of need for a cargo plane capable of carrier landings resulted in airframe conversion of Grumman TBM-3 Avenger
TBF Avenger
The Grumman TBF Avenger was a torpedo bomber developed initially for the United States Navy and Marine Corps, and eventually used by several air or naval arms around the world....
torpedo bombers to unarmed seven-passenger COD aircraft designated TBM-3R. Replacement of TBM-3Rs began in the late 1950s. Grumman built a cargo variant of its twin-piston-engined S-2 Tracker
S-2 Tracker
The Grumman S-2 Tracker was the first purpose-built, single airframe anti-submarine warfare aircraft to enter service with the US Navy. The Tracker was of conventional design with twin engines, a high wing and tricycle undercarriage. The type was exported to a number of navies around the world...
anti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare is a branch of naval warfare that uses surface warships, aircraft, or other submarines to find, track and deter, damage or destroy enemy submarines....
bomber known as the C-1A Trader
C-1 Trader
|-See also:-External links:...
. The Navy in 1963 briefly experimented with the C-130 Hercules
C-130 Hercules
The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built originally by Lockheed, now Lockheed Martin. Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 was originally designed as a troop, medical evacuation, and cargo transport...
for COD. In the late 1960s Grumman began production of a cargo variant of its twin-turboprop E-2 Hawkeye
E-2 Hawkeye
The Grumman E-2 Hawkeye is an American all-weather, aircraft carrier-capable tactical airborne early warning aircraft. This twin-turboprop aircraft was designed and developed during the late 1950s and early 1960s by the Grumman Aircraft Company for the United States Navy as a replacement for the...
Airborne Early Warning
Airborne Early Warning
An airborne early warning and control system is an airborne radar system designed to detect aircraft at long ranges and control and command the battle space in an air engagement by directing fighter and attack plane strikes...
aircraft known as the C-2A Greyhound. Five Lockheed US-3A Viking
S-3 Viking
The Lockheed S-3 Viking is a four-seat twin-engine jet aircraft that was used by the U.S. Navy to identify, track, and destroy enemy submarines. In the late 1990s, the S-3B's mission focus shifted to surface warfare and aerial refueling. The Viking also provided electronic warfare and surface...
aircraft were also used from the early 1980s to the mid-1990s. Today the C-2 remains the U.S. Navy's primary COD vehicle. The entire fleet of 36 C-2As are currently undergoing a Critical Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) to extend their operational lifespans.
Several U.S. Navy "Fleet Logistics Support Squadrons" provided COD services aboard carriers since the Second World War:
| Squadron | Nickname | Tail code | Established | VR-5 VRC-30 Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 30 , also known as the "Providers", is a United States Navy Fleet Logistics Support squadron based at Naval Air Station North Island consisting of 5 detachments.-History:... | Providers | RS | 24 June 1943 | 15 July 1957 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VR-21 | Pineapple Airlines | RZ | 15 July 1957 | 1 October 1966 |
| VR-22 | Medriders | RB | 1 April 1967 | |
| VR-23 | Codfish Airline | RK | 1951 | 15 July 1957 |
| VR-24 | Lifting Eagles | JM | 3 December 1946 | 31 March 1993 |
| VRC-30 VRC-30 Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 30 , also known as the "Providers", is a United States Navy Fleet Logistics Support squadron based at Naval Air Station North Island consisting of 5 detachments.-History:... |
Providers | RW | 1 October 1966 | |
| VRC-40 VRC-40 Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 40 , also known as the "Rawhides", is a United States Navy fleet logistics support squadron based at Naval Air Station Norfolk... |
Rawhides | JK | 1 July 1960 | |
| VRC-50 | Foo Dogs | RG | 1 October 1966 | 7 October 1994 |
See also
- Underway replenishmentUnderway replenishmentUnderway replenishment or replenishment at sea is a method of transferring fuel, munitions, and stores from one ship to another while under way.-History:...
- Vertical replenishment (VERTREP)
- SeabasingSeabasingSeabasing is a naval capability that provides commanders with the ability to conduct selected functions and tasks at sea without reliance on infrastructure ashore. It describes the concepts and methods for sustaining large military forces during operations at large distances from traditional...
- SealiftSealiftSealift is a term used predominantly in military logistics and refers to the use of cargo ships for the deployment of military assets, such as weaponry, vehicles, military personnel, and supplies...
- Aerial refuelingAerial refuelingAerial refueling, also called air refueling, in-flight refueling , air-to-air refueling or tanking, is the process of transferring fuel from one aircraft to another during flight....
- Military logisticsMilitary logisticsMilitary logistics is the discipline of planning and carrying out the movement and maintenance of military forces. In its most comprehensive sense, it is those aspects or military operations that deal with:...