- Yes
- No
Background
Spoiler
The development of the Grumman S-2A Tracker began in the late 1940s when the U.S. Navy sought to replace its then inefficient two aircraft hunter-killer teams. They wanted a single, carrier-based platform capable of both detecting and destroying advanced submarines without being reliant on 2 separate aircraft.
To meet this demand, Grumman designed the Model G-89, which would eventually become the prototype XS2F-1. The XSF-1 made its maiden flight on December 4, 1952 and went through altercations before entering service as the S-2F in 1954. In 1962 the S-2F was redesignated the S-2A.
10 examples of the S-2A were delivered through US aid programs in 1967. Initially meant for the Taiwanese navy, RoC military officials would end up distrusting them to the air force where they were allocated to a newly established anti-submarine squadron belonging to the 6th wing.
S-2A’s were employed to patrol the Taiwanese Strait, although no noteworthy events ever happened throughout its career. In 1978, following the purchase of the more advanced S-2E and obsoletion of the S-2A, several of the S-2A’s were converted into target tugs, and served until retirement in 1994.
Technical Data
Specifications
Crew - 4
Length - 12.8 m
Height - 4.95 m
Wingspan - 21.23 m
Empty Weight - 8,308 kg
Gross Weight - 10,630 kg
Max Takeoff Weight - 11,860 kg
Powerplant - 2 x Wright R-1820-82 Radial Engines (1,137 kW each)
Max Speed - 461 km/h
Service Ceiling - 7,010 m
Range - 2,172 km
Armament
1 x Mk. 34 Mod 1 Torpedo’s
1 x Mk. 41 Torpedo
5 x Mk. 43 Mod 1 Torpedo’s
5 x Mk. 24 Mine’s
6 x AN Mk. 54 Depth Charge’s
6 x HVAR Rocket’s.
Avionics
AN/API-6 IFF
AN/APS-36A Radar
Sources
Spoiler
https://en.aeeh.com.tw/en/index.asp?au_id=3&sub_id=11&id=9
ROCN Northrop Grumman S-2T Turbo Tracker
(Book) Encyclopedia of Chinese Aircraft, Vol.4
