Grumman AF-2S Guardian

The Grumman AF‑2S Guardian was the United States Navy’s first purpose‑built carrier‑based anti‑submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft, emerging from a post‑World War II need to counter the growing Soviet submarine threat. Designed by Grumman Aerospace, the type made its maiden flight in September 1949 and entered operational service in 1950, serving aboard fleet carriers and escort carriers through the early 1960s before being superseded by the Grumman S‑2 Tracker. The AF‑2S was a twin‑engine, high‑wing monoplane powered by two Pratt & Whitney R‑2800‑26W radial engines driving reversible‑propellers, which gave it reliable performance on short carrier decks. A crew of three—pilot, co‑pilot/navigator, and radar operator—worked from a spacious fuselage that housed a retractable radar dome, magnetic‑anomaly detector, and an internal bomb bay for depth charges, torpedoes, and sonobuoys. Its robust airframe, rugged landing gear, and all‑metal construction allowed operation in rough sea conditions, while the integrated ASW suite set a new standard for maritime patrol capability. The Guardian demonstrated the strategic value of carrier‑borne submarine hunting, influencing subsequent modern ASW platforms and cementing Grumman’s reputation as a leading naval aircraft manufacturer.

Grumman

Grumman AF-2S Guardian

Classification

Design & Classification