A New Approach to Anti-Submarine Warfare Nicknamed "Stoof" (a rough pronunciation of its designation), the S2F (later re-designated S-2), was the first carrier-based aircraft able to both search for an attack submarines. Previously, the two roles had been performed by separate aircraft. S-2s were equipped with multiple sensors, including a search radar, sonobuoys (deployed from the engine housing), a magnetic anomaly detector (housed in a retractable tail boom), and a searchlight. An internal weapons bay accommodated torpedoes, mines, and depth bomb. The Tracker's S-2D version, like the one before you, featured a longer and wider fuselage, larger wings and tail surfaces, and longer engine housings to accommodate additional sonobuoys. The Tracker's robust design became the basis of an Airborne Early Waring (AEW) aircraft (the E-1B Tracer) and a Carrier Onboard Delivery (COD) aircraft (the C-1A Trader). The last S-2 squadron was disestablished in August 1976.
Our Display Aircraft S2F
Bureau Number 149240 was manufactured on 20 March 1962, and flew at NAS Patuxent River with the Naval Research Laboratory's Flight Support Detachment. After logging 5175.2 flight hours performing meteorological and oceanographic research, our S-2 was retired in February 1981. It was transferred to PRNAM in 1982.
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Primary Mission: Anti-submarine warfare
· Crew: One Pilot, Copilot, Acoustic Sensor Operator and Non-Acoustic Sensor Operator
· U.S. Service Timeline (S-2 Series): 1954 - 1976
· Max. Gross Weight: 29,150 lb
· Dimensions: 43.5 ft length, 72.6 ft wing span
· Propulsion: Two Curtiss Wright R1820-82A Cyclone reciprocating engines
· Max. Operating Speed: 246 MPH (sea level)
· Armament: Up to 4800 lb of bombs, depth bombs, missiles, torpedoes (weapons bay and external pylons)
This aircraft is on loan from the National Naval Aviation Museum at Pensacola, Florida
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