NEWTOWN, Conn. - Brazil's navy has revived a long-dormant contract to refurbish and upgrade four US Navy Grumman S-2 Trackers under the KC-2 Turbo Trader contract. Driving this decision is the inability of the larger Grumman E-2D to operate from the deck of Brazil's Sao Paulo aircraft carrier.
The solution has been to repower C-1A airframes by removing the Wright R1820 radials and replacing with Honeywell TPE331-14GR turboprops and 5-blade Hartzell propellers. Additionally, the original analog flight deck instruments will be modernized with electronic instrument displays. The work will be done by Marsh Aviation and Elbit Systems' subsidiary M7.
First KC-2 flight is expected in late 2017 with first delivery to Brazil's navy late the following year.