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| E-1 Tracer | |
|---|---|
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| E-1B Tracer | |
| Role | Carrier AEW |
| Manufacturer | Grumman |
| First flight | 17 December 1956 |
| Introduced | 1958 |
| Retired | 1977 |
| Status | Retired |
| Primary user | United States Navy |
| Number built | 88 |
| Developed from | C-1 Trader |
The E-1 Tracer was the first purpose built airborne early warning aircraft used by the United States Navy. It was a derivative of the C-1 Trader and first entered service in 1958. It was replaced by the more modern E-2 Hawkeye in the early 1970s.
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Design and development
The E-1 was designated WF under the old US Navy system; the designation earned it the nickname "Willy Fudd". Since the S-2 Tracker was known as S2F under the old system, that airplane was nicknamed "Stoof"; the WF/E-1 with its distinctive radome gained the nickname "Stoof with a Roof."[1]
Radar
The Tracer was fitted with the Hazeltine AN/APS-82 in its radome. The radar featured an Airborne Moving Target Indicator (AMTI), which analyzes the Doppler shift in reflected radar energy to distinguish a flying aircraft against the clutter produced by wave action at the ocean's surface. Separating a moving object from stationary background is accomplished by suitable hardware.
Variants
- XTF-1W/XWF-1
- aerodynamic prototype (BuNo 136792) without electronics, later rebuilt as a standard C-1A, retaining the twin tail.
- WF-2
- Airborne Early Warning version of the TF-1 Trader, redesignated E-1B in 1962, 88 built.
- E-1B
- WF-2 redesignated in 1962.
Operators
Specifications
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General characteristics
- Crew: 4, two pilots, two RADAR/Intercept Controllers
- Length: 42.25 ft (12.9 m)
- Wingspan: 69.6 ft (21.2 m)
- Height: 16.3 ft (4.9 m)
- Wing area: 499 sq ft (46,35 qm)
- Empty weight: 18,750 lb (8,504 kg)
- Loaded weight: 26,600 lb (12,065 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 29,150 lb (13,222 kg)
- Powerplant: 2× Wright R-1820-82WA Cyclone 9-cylinder radial piston engine, 1,525 hp (1,137 kW) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 287 mph (462 km/h)
- Range: 1,300 miles (2,092 km)
- Service ceiling: 15,800 ft (4,800 m)
- Rate of climb: 1,120 ft/min (340 m/min)
Armament
none
References
Notes
- ^ O'Rourke, G.G., CAPT USN. "Of Hosenoses, Stoofs, and Lefthanded Spads". United States Naval Institute Proceedings, July 1968.
Bibliography
- Winchester, Jim (ed.). "Grumman S-2E/F/G/UP Tracker." Modern Military Aircraft (Aviation Factfile). Rochester, Kent, UK: Grange Books plc, 2004. ISBN 1-84013-640-5.
Aircraft on Display
There is an E-1B Tracer on the flight deck of the USS Yorktown (CV-10) at Patriot's Point Naval and Maritime Museum in Mount Pleasant, SC.
See also
Related development
Comparable aircraft
External links
- Global Security.org page on WF-2/E-1 Tracer
- Airborne Moving Target Indicator (AMTI) explanation provided by Mercury Computer
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