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| S-2 Tracker | ||
|---|---|---|
 Larger version | ||
| Description | ||
| Role | ||
| Crew | ||
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | ||
| Wingspan | ||
| Height | ||
| Wing area | ||
| Weights | ||
| Empty | ||
| Loaded | ||
| Maximum take-off | ||
| Powerplant | ||
| Engines | ||
| Power | ||
| Performance | ||
| Maximum speed | ||
| Combat range | ||
| Ferry range | ||
| Service ceiling | ||
| Rate of climb | ||
| Armament | ||
| Guns | ||
| Bombs | ||
The Grumman S-2 Tracker was the first US Navy anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft designed specifically for the purpose.
Its predecessor, the AF-2 Guardian, used two aircraft for ASW, one with the detection gear, and the other with the weapons. This was very inefficient, and the Navy wanted a design that carried both. The replacement aircraft was to carry radar, a magnetic anomaly detector (MAD), ECM, acoustic equipment, and a searchlight, and be able to be armed with bombs, mines, torpedos, and rockets.
Grumman's design (model G-89) was for a large high-wing monoplane with twin radial engines.
Both the two prototypes XS2F-1 and 15 production aircraft, S2F-1 were ordered at the same time, on 30 June 1950. First flight was 4 December 1952, and production aircraft entered service, with VS-26, in February 1954.
Followon versions included the WF Tracer and TF Trader, which became the E-1 Tracer and C-1 Trader in the rationalization of 1962.
Versions of the tracker were sold to various nations, including Canada, Australia, and Taiwan.
The Tracker was eventually superseded for military use by the S-3 Viking - the last Tracker squadron was disestablished in 1976 - but a number live on as firefighting aircraft.
Variants
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