The US Navy currently utilizes the Grumman C-2 Greyhound as it's only Carrier on-board delivery aircraft, however, as of recently the US Navy has decided to purchase the Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey as its replacement. The decision however is without much controversy. Due to media input, the Osprey is viewed as accident prone, despite records indicating that is it the safest aircraft in the US Marine Corps inventory with a crash/flight hour ratio significantly better then other aircraft in service.
The main source of controversy is in regards to the V-22 range and payload. The current C-2 Greyhound can operate independently without much need for support aircraft. The argument in regards to the Navy's decision is that it negates the current "Hub and spoke" system currently utilized in its carrier battle groups. The choice of the Osprey is to eliminate utilizing the MH-60's to supply smaller vessels and to improve the resupply turnaround time as the Osprey is VTOL and can land on smaller vessels, something the C-2 can not do.
Despite both aircraft having their positive and negative aspects, there has been many proposals regarding new CODs, some being utilizing the Fokker F28 or C-9 with an arresting hook and folding wings to fulfill the COD role. Another was to bring the Lockheed S-3 Viking out of retirement and be retrofitted to fulfill the role. These options were never realized and never left the drawing board, that is until now...Here is my interpretation of what the S-3 Viking COD variant would look like.
The "C-3" would essentially look similar to the current S-3, however, with a wider and elongated fuselage to accommodate passengers and cargo. The size of the cabin is big enough to support carrying of the F-35's Pratt & Whitney F135A engine. The landing gear is also reinforced to withstand the added weight of the aircraft upon landing. A refueling drogue is also installed as to act as also fulfill the fleet support refuel aircraft for fleet defense fighters. Details on this aircraft are not dissimilar to the current role of the C-2 Greyhound. This option brings the US Navy closer to an all jet inventory, with the E-2 Hawkeye being the other turboprop still in service.
(I decided to use my fictional aerospace entity as the company conducting the retrofit.)
Lockheed/Atria C-3 Viking
Here is an example of what the aircraft would look like if painted in the colors of one of the two current Fleet Logistics Support Squadrons; VRC-40 Rawhides Detachment 4.
Lockheed/Atria C-3 Viking (VRC-40 Det. 4)
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Sergeant in the US Marine Corps
MV-22 Osprey Avionics Technician
"Just consider me the forum's resident V-22 expert."
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My Completed Work!!!