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.

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."

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. See also Mercury Computer's explanation of AMTI, provided in the External Links below.

Operators

 United States

• United States Navy

Specifications

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 lbs (8,504 kg)
• Loaded weight: 26,600 lbs (12,065 kg)
• Max takeoff weight: 29,150 lbs (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)