1st Flight 1945
The Grumman AF Guardian was the first purpose-built anti-submarine warfare (ASW) carrier-based aircraft to enter service with the United States Navy.
Variants
XTB3F-1
Prototypes of two-seat torpedo bomber powered by one 2,300 hp R-2800-46 engine and a Westinghouse turbojet; three built.
XTB3F-1S & -2S
Two modified XTB3F-1 prototypes with turbojet removed and ventral radome, later redesignated as XAF-1.
AF-2S
Production variant with 2,400 hp R-2800-48 engine.
AF-2W
Hunter variant with search radar in a ventral radome.
AF-3S
Hunter/Killer variant similar to AF-2S with retractable MAD boom.
Grumman Model G-90
Proposed combined AF-2S/-2W version, cancelled.
Specifications
Crew: three
Length: 43 ft 4 in (13.21 m)
Wingspan: 60 ft 8 in (18.49 m) (about 25 ft-wings folded (7.62 m)
Height: 16 ft 2 in (5.08 m)
Wing area: 560 sq ft (52.03 m2)
Empty weight: 14,580 lb (6,613 kg)
Max take-off weight: 22,640 lb (10,270 kg)
Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-2800-48W “Double Wasp” radial engine, 2,400 hp (1,790 kW)
Performance
Maximum speed: 253 mph (510 km/h, 276 kn) at full throttle not to exceed 30 minutes at 15,000 ft (4,600 m) with a gross weight 21,000 lbs (9500 kg)
Range: 1,500 mi (2,415 km, 1,304 nmi)
Service ceiling: 15,000 ft (4,600 m)
Rate of climb: 1,850 ft/min (9.4 m/s)
Armament
Rockets: 6× 5 in (127 mm) unguided High velocity aircraft rocket (HVAR) rockets
Bombs: 4,000 lb (1,814 kg) of bombs, torpedoes, and depth charges.
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