Grumman AF Guardian

Grumman AF Guardian
Krajiny	Spojené štáty americké
Úlohu	Protiponorkové lietadlá
Prvý let	19. decembra 1945
Postavený	389

Komisia Grumman AF Guardian Bolo to prvé účelové protiponorkové bojové (ASW) lietadlové lietadlo, ktoré vstúpilo do služby s námorníctvom Spojených štátov. Pozostával z dvoch drakov lietadiel, jeden pre detekčné zariadenia, druhý pre zbrane. The Guardian zostal v prevádzke až do augusta 1955, kedy bol nahradený dvojmotorovým Grumman S-2 Trackerom. The Guardian bol najväčším jednomotorovým piestovým motorom, ktoré kedy videlo službu.

Zdrojový: Grumman AF Guardian na Wikipédii

AF Guardian Walk Around
Fotograf	Fotios Rouch
Lokalizácia	Neznáme
Fotografie	35

AF Guardian 1

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AF Guardian 2

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AF Guardian 4

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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)
Úlohu	Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Hunter-Killer
National Origin	Spojené štáty americké
Výrobca	Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation
Service Entry	September 1950
Posádky	4 (AF-2S) / 3 (AF-2W)
Dĺžka	13.21 m (43 ft 4 in)
Rozpätie krídel	18.49 m (60 ft 8 in)
Výška	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.