BuNo. 151657

Beginning in the 1950s, many Essex-class carriers like Yorktown,were designated anti-submarine aircraft carriers (CVS) to challenge the growing Soviet submarine threat. The S-2 Tracker was the prominent ASW (Anti-Submarine Warfare) weapon aboard these ships into the 1970s. Trackers were equipped with improved detection electronics and a 70 million candlepower searchlight. Armed with a combination of torpedoes, rockets, mines, and depth charges, the Tracker also had offensive capability. By 1976, all of the Essex-class CVSs were retired. ASW squadrons were deployed (with attack and fighter squadrons) aboard the larger Forrestal and Nimitz class aircraft carriers. The new S-3 Viking replaced the Tracker at this time.

Manufacturer : Gruman
Type: carrier-based ASW aircraft
Crew : two pilot , two radar operators
Powerplant: two 1,525 hp Wright R-1820-82radial engines
Wingspan: 72 ft 7 in (22.12 m)
Length: 43 ft 6 in (13.26 m)
Height: 16 ft 7.5 in (5 m)
Weight: 19,033 lbs (8,633 kg) empty; 26,867 lbs(12,187.5 kg) maximum
Armament:fuselage weapons-bay for one depth bomb, torpedoes, mines, rockets, orBullpup air-to-surface missile; 4,810 lbs(2,182 kg) maximum ordnance
Maximum speed: 253 mph (407 km/h)
Combat radius: 400 miles (643 kilometers)
Service ceiling: 22,000 ft (6,705.5 m)

This aircraft on loan from the National Museumof Naval Aviation at Pensacola, Florida

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Show me all markers in:  Mt Pleasant, SC  |  Charleston County  |  29464  |  South Carolina  |  United States of America

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