Grumman AF Guardian

Grumman AF Guardian
Pays	Usa
Rôle	Avions anti-sous-marins
Premier vol	19 décembre 1945
Construit	389

Lla Grumman AF Guardian a été le premier avion de guerre anti-sous-marine (ASW) basé sur un porte-avions à entrer en service dans la marine des États-Unis. Il se composait de deux cellules, l’une pour les engins de détection, l’autre pour les armes. Le Guardian resta en service jusqu’en août 1955, date à laquelle il fut remplacé par le Grumman S-2 Tracker bimoteur. Le Guardian était le plus grand avion monomoteur à pistons jamais mis en service.

Source: Grumman AF Guardian sur Wikipédia

AF Guardian Walk Around
Photographe	Fotios Rouch
Localisation	Inconnu
Photos	35

AF Guardian 1

AF Guardian 3

AF Guardian 2

AF Guardian 5

AF Guardian 4

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AF Guardian 7

AF Guardian 8

AF Guardian 9

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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)
Rôle	Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Hunter-Killer
National Origin	États-Unis
Fabricant	Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation
Service Entry	September 1950
Crew	4 (AF-2S) / 3 (AF-2W)
Length	13.21 m (43 ft 4 in)
Envergure	18.49 m (60 ft 8 in)
Height	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.