Grumman (WF-2) E-1B Tracer

In 1954, the U.S. Navy began to develop a carrier-based aircraft to provide early-warning surveillance and airborne control functions for the fleet, resulting in the Grumman E-1B Tracer. Its most distinctive feature was the radome over the wing, which concealed the APS-82 dish-type radar system with a search radius of 250 miles. Derived from the Grumman S-2 Tracker anti-submarine aircraft and C-1 Trader transport aircraft, the Tracer had a deeper fuselage for radar operations, a new tail unit with twin fins and rudders, and a central fin to support the radome. Flying above a carrier task force, the aircraft and its crew of four gave an electronic bird's-eye view of surrounding airspace, extending the task force's view hundreds of miles over the horizon. Detachments of two Tracers, with aircrews and supporting personnel, deployed on Intrepid for operations off the coast of Vietnam, where they provided F-8 Crusaders with information on enemy MiG fighter activity and monitored alpha strikes over North Vietnam. The Tracer entered service in 1958, served aboard Intrepid until the ship's retirement in 1974, and remained in fleet service until 1976, when it was replaced by the Grumman E-2 Hawkeye.

New York, New York · United States