Grumman S-2 Tracker

Anti-submarine warfare aircraft introduced in February 1954

Overview

Grumman United States ICAO: S2F 1952–1968

The Grumman S-2 Tracker was originally developed and manufactured by Grumman that performed its maiden flight in December 1952. It was intentionally built as an anti-submarine warfare aircraft with a single airframe and served the United States Navy. The aircraft featured a conventional design, powered by two radial engines with a propeller, fitted with high wings and a tricycle landing gear.

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Specifications

Units
Engine
2 × Wright R-1820-82WA
Engine type
Piston
Power
2 × 1,525 hp · 1,137 kW
Avionics
—
Wing tips
No winglets
Seats
4
Crew
—
Cabin width
—
Cabin height
—
Cabin length
—
Exterior length
43 ft 6 in  ·  13.26 m
Tail height
17 ft 6 in  ·  5.33 m
Fuselage diameter
5 ft 9 in  ·  1.75 m
Wing span
72 ft 7 in  ·  22.12 m
Baggage volume
—
Gross weight
—
Empty weight
—
Max takeoff weight
26,100 lb  ·  11,900 kg
Max landing weight
—
Max payload
4,850 lb  ·  2,200 kg
Fuel capacity
520 gal · 2,000 L · 1,400 kg (AvGas)
Max cruise speed
243 kt  ·  280 mph  ·  450 km/h
Maximum speed
—
Cruise speed
—
Approach speed
64 kt  ·  74 mph  ·  119 km/h
Range
1,173 nm  ·  1,350 mi  ·  2,170 km
Fuel burn
—
Ceiling
22,000 ft  ·  6,700 m
Rate of climb
1,920 ft/min  ·  10 m/s
Takeoff distance
—
Landing distance
—
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U.S. Navy Grumman S2F-1 Tracker from Anti-submarine Squadron (VS-29) “Tromboners” in flight.

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Operational Context

The Grumman S-2 Tracker was purposely-built to replace the AF Guardian anti-submarine warfare of the United States Navy. On June 30, 1950, two prototypes designated as XS2F-1 and fifteen S2F-1 production aircraft were ordered. On December 4, 1952, the aircraft took to the air for the first time. In February 1954, it entered into service.

The S-2 Tracker can accommodate up to four crew members. It has an external length of 13.26 meters, an external height of 3 meters, and a fuselage diameter of 1.75 meters. The tail height is 5.33 meters and the tricycle landing gear has a wheelbase of 4.2 meters. The aircraft is fitted with high wings with a wingspan of 22.12 meters and a wing area of 45.1 square meters. It has an empty weight of 8,308 kg, a gross weight of 10,630 kg, a maximum payload of 2,200 kg, and a fuel tank capacity of 520 US gal. The maximum takeoff weight is 11,860 kg.

The aircraft is powered by twin Wright R-1820-82WA engines. It is a nine-cylinder single-row supercharged air-cooled radial piston engines with two overhead valves per cylinder with sodium-filled exhaust valves, a single-speed centrifugal-type supercharger a Stromberg downdraft carburetor with an automatic mixture control fuel system, a dry-sump with one pressure and one scavenging pump oil system, and an air cooling system. Each engine produces a maximum thrust of 1,525 hp.

The Tracker has a maximum speed of 243 knots at sea level and a cruise speed of 130 knots. It has a travel range of 1,173 nautical miles and has a nine-hour endurance. It can fly up to 22,000 feet and can climb at a rate of 1,920 feet per minute. The 2,200 kg of payload could be carried in the internal weapons bay and on six under-wing hardpoints; it included different torpedoes and MK.54 or naval mines depth charges.