- Yes
- No
Background
Spoiler
Grumman developed the Tracker for the US Navy in the early 1950s as a platform for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) operations from aircraft carriers. The inaugural flight of the S2F, later known as the “Stoof,” occurred in 1952. Over the course of its extensive production, a total of 1,284 units were manufactured, including those produced by Canadair in Canada. The final S-2E model took off from Grumman’s facility in Bethpage, New York in 1968.
The S-2 was not only utilized by the US Navy but also exported to 14 military operators. Additionally, it found popularity among civilian users, particularly as a firefighting aircraft in the United States and France. In the US, there are several Tracker warbirds still in active service.
The Republic of China (ROC) began its association with the Tracker in 1967 when the first S-2As were delivered to the Anti-Submarine Squadron, which did not possess a numerical designation, of the Republic of China Air Force (ROCAF). These aircraft were primarily employed as patrol aircraft and sub-hunters. The Anti-Submarine Squadron operated under the 439th Wing, stationed at Pingtung Air Force Base in the southern region of the country. Ten instances of this early variation were put into service. In 1978, the United States provided an additional 18 of the enhanced S-2E model. Similar to the S-2As, these aircraft were surplus from the US Navy. The A-models were temporarily assigned to the newly established 34 Squadron. At around the same time, the Anti-Submarine Squadron was renamed as the 33rd Squadron. Both squadrons were part of the 10th Anti-Submarine Group, which reported to the re-designated 439th Troop Carrying and Anti-Submarine Wing (now known as the 439th Composite Wing). The older S-2As were eventually replaced by the S-2E in 1979.
In 1985, the United States provided an additional nine former US Navy S-2Es. The following year, at least seven S-2Gs were delivered. Two of these aircraft, including at least one S-2G, were sent to Grumman in the US for turboprop conversion. The first flight of a RoCAF S-2T Turbo Tracker occurred in July 1988.
The main external differences were the installation of two new Garrett/Honeywell TPE331-15AW turboprop engines, replacing the previous Wright R-1820 Cyclone piston powerplants. Each TPE331 engine has a power rating of 1,645shp (1,227kW) and drives four-bladed propellers. The upgrade also included new mission equipment such as the AN/AQS-92F digital sonobuoy processor, AN/ARR-84 99-channel sonobuoy receiver, Litton AN/APS-504 radar, AN/ASQ-504 magnetic anomaly detector (MAD), and AN/AAS-40 forward-looking infra-red system. The introduction of these new and more reliable turboprops resulted in a payload increase of 500kg. The S-2T typically carried depth charges, smoke bombs, and a lightweight anti-submarine homing torpedo.
After a three-year test program, Grumman returned the two “fleet leader” aircraft to the Republic of China (RoC) in 1991. This paved the way for the state-owned company Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC) in Taichung to convert an additional 30 S-2E/Gs using kits provided by Grumman. However, the original goal of 32 conversions (seven S-2Gs and 25 S-2Es) was not achieved due to a corruption scandal. In 1993, AIDC delivered the 27th and final aircraft.
The S-2T was finally put to rest in 2017 following the increased availability of P-3 Orion’s.
Technical Data
Specifications
Crew - 2 Pilots, 2 System Operators
Length - 13.26 m
Height - 5.33 m
Wingspan - 22.12 m
Empty Weight - 8,310 kg
Gross Weight - 10,030 kg
Max Takeoff Weight - 11,860 kg
Powerplant - 2 x Garret/Honeywell TPE331-15AW Turboprop engines (1,227 kW each)
Max Speed - 500 km/h
Cruising Speed - 290 km/h
Service Ceiling - 6700 m
Range - 2,170 km
Armament
8 x Mk 81 250 lb bombs.
5 x 2,000 lb AN-M66A2 bombs.
1 x Mark 46 Mod 5 (1986) Torpedoes
7 x Depth Charges (Unknown Type)
6 x 127mm HVAR rockets.
24 x Sonobuoys
Avionics
AN/APS-504 Radar
AN/AQS-92F Digital Sonobuoy Receiver.
AN/ARR-84 Sonobuoy Receiver.
AN/ASQ-504 MAD.
AN/AAS-40 Forward-Looking Infra-Red.
Images
Sources
Spoiler
(Brochure) Taiwan’s terrific Trackers [Feb, 2015]
(Book) Encyclopedia of Chinese Aircraft, Vol.4 (Page 421-422)