Lexington Park in St. Mary's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Grumman S-2D Tracker
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), August 30, 2019
A New Approach to Anti-Submarine Warfare Nicknamed "Stoof" (a rough pronunciation of its designation), the S2F (later re-designated S-2), was the first carrier-based aircraft able to both search for an attack submarines. Previously, the two roles had been performed by separate aircraft. S-2s were equipped with multiple sensors, including a search radar, sonobuoys (deployed from the engine housing), a magnetic anomaly detector (housed in a retractable tail boom), and a searchlight. An internal weapons bay accommodated torpedoes, mines, and depth bomb. The Tracker's S-2D version, like the one before you, featured a longer and wider fuselage, larger wings and tail surfaces, and longer engine housings to accommodate additional sonobuoys. The Tracker's robust design became the basis of an Airborne Early Waring (AEW) aircraft (the E-1B Tracer) and a Carrier Onboard Delivery (COD) aircraft (the C-1A Trader). The last S-2 squadron was disestablished in August 1976.
Our Display Aircraft S2F Bureau Number 149240 was manufactured on 20 March 1962, and flew at NAS Patuxent River with the Naval Research Laboratory's Flight Support Detachment. After logging 5175.2 flight hours performing meteorological and oceanographic research, our S-2 was retired in February 1981. It was transferred to PRNAM in 1982.
• Primary Mission: Anti-submarine warfare
• Crew: One Pilot, Copilot, Acoustic Sensor Operator and Non-Acoustic Sensor Operator
• U.S. Service Timeline (S-2 Series): 1954 - 1976
• Max. Gross Weight: 29,150 lb
• Dimensions: 43.5 ft length, 72.6 ft wing span
• Propulsion: Two Curtiss Wright R1820-82A Cyclone reciprocating engines
• Max. Operating Speed: 246 MPH (sea level)
• Armament: Up to 4800 lb of bombs, depth bombs, missiles, torpedoes (weapons bay and external pylons)
Erected by Patuxent River Naval Air Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Military. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1981.
Location. 38° 16.53′ N, 76° 27.697′ W. Marker is in Lexington Park, Maryland, in St. Mary's County. Marker can be reached from Three Notch Road (Maryland Route 235) just north of Buse Road, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 22156 Three Notch Road, Lexington Park MD 20653, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. North American T-39D Sabreliner (a few steps from this marker); Boeing X-32B JSF Demonstrator
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), August 30, 2019
Credits. This page was last revised on August 31, 2019. It was originally submitted on August 31, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 192 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 31, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.