Grumman AF Guardian

Grumman AF Guardian
País	E.e.u.u
Papel	Aviones antisubmarinas
Primer vuelo	19 de diciembre de 1945
Construido	389

el Grumman AF Guardian fue el primer avión basado en portaaviones de guerra antisubmarina construido específicamente (ASW) en entrar en servicio con la Armada de los Estados Unidos. Consistía en dos fuselajes, uno para equipos de detección, el otro para armas. The Guardian permaneció en servicio hasta agosto de 1955, cuando fue reemplazado por el Grumman S-2 Tracker bimotor. The Guardian fue el avión portaaviones monomotor más grande jamás visto.

Fuente: Grumman AF Guardian en Wikipedia

AF Guardian Walk Around
Fotógrafo	Fotios Rouch
Localización	Unknow
Fotos	35

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General Characteristics and Role

The Grumman AF Guardian was the first purpose-built, carrier-based Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) system in the world. It was a large, single-engine aircraft that operated as a hunter-killer team consisting of two specialized variants flown in tandem: the AF-2W (Hunter), which carried the radar and detection gear to locate the submarine, and the AF-2S (Killer), which carried the ordnance to attack it. Developed for the US Navy in the late 1940s, it filled a critical gap in capability during the early Cold War era, where the threat of Soviet submarines was rapidly increasing. The Guardian was the last piston-engine aircraft designed for combat roles flown by the US Navy, preceding the shift to twin-engine jet and turboprop ASW aircraft.

Property	Typical Value (AF-2S / AF-2W)
Papel	Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Hunter-Killer
National Origin	Estados Unidos
Fabricante	Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation
Service Entry	September 1950
Equipo	4 (AF-2S) / 3 (AF-2W)
Longitud	13.21 m (43 ft 4 in)
Envergadura	18.49 m (60 ft 8 in)
Altura	5.02 m (16 ft 5.5 in)
Empty Weight	6,776 kg (14,940 lb)
Max Takeoff Weight	10,433 kg (23,000 lb)

Powerplant and Performance

Engine: One Pratt & Whitney R-2800-48W Double Wasp 18-cylinder, air-cooled radial engine.
Power Output: 1,864 kW (2,500 hp).
Maximum Speed: 507 km/h (315 mph; 274 kn).
Cruise Speed: 238 km/h (148 mph; 129 kn).
Range: 2,415 km (1,500 mi; 1,300 nmi).
Endurance: Up to 5.5 hours, necessary for long anti-submarine patrols.

ASW Equipment and Variants

AF-2W (Hunter): Featured a large, distinctive radar dome (radome) under the fuselage containing the AN/APS-20 search radar, replacing the bomb bay. It lacked offensive armament.
AF-2S (Killer): Carried the ordnance. Its large bomb bay could accommodate:
- Torpedoes (e.g., Mk 13).
- Depth charges (conventional or nuclear).
- Rockets (underwing hardpoints).
It also utilized an AN/ASQ-1 magnetic anomaly detector (MAD) boom extending from the tail.
Operational Use: Guardians primarily flew from the smaller Escort Carriers (CVEs) or early versions of modern carriers and were gradually replaced by the twin-engine Grumman S-2 Tracker starting in the mid-1950s.