The Grumman S-2 Tracker (previously S2F) was the first purpose-built, single airframe anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft to enter service with the US Navy.
Grumman’s design (model G-89) was for a large high-wing monoplane with twin Wright Cyclone radial engines. Both the two prototypes XS2F-1 and 15 production aircraft, S2F-1 were ordered at the same time, on 30 June 1950. First flight was 4 December 1952, and production aircraft entered service, with VS-26, in February 1954.
-on versions included the WF Tracer and TF Trader, which became the E-1 Tracer and C-1 Trader in the tri-service designation standardization of 1962. The S-2 carried the nickname “Stoof” (S-two-F) throughout its military career; and the E-1 Tracer variant with the large overhead radome was called the “stoof with a roof.”
Grumman produced 1,185 Trackers. Another 99 aircraft carrying the CS2F designation were manufactured in Canada under license by de Havilland Canada. U.S.-built versions of the Tracker were sold to various nations, including Australia, Japan and Taiwan.
