Britten-Norman BN-2B Defender

Summary

Category	Transport aircraft
Origin country	🇬🇧 United Kingdom
First flight	12 June 1965
Year of introduction	1965
Number produced	1280 units
Average unit price	$2 million

Description

Militarized version of the Islander, the BN-2B Defender is a lightweight transport and surveillance aircraft designed and manufactured by the British company Britten-Norman. It is used for a variety of missions including passenger transport, maritime surveillance, border patrols, and search and rescue operations.

The BN-2B Defender is a high-wing aircraft with a twin-engine configuration. It can accommodate up to ten passengers on board and has a spacious cargo hold. The aircraft is powered by two piston engines, providing it with good reliability and a high capability for low-altitude flying. One of the distinctive features of the BN-2B Defender is its robust landing gear and its ability to operate on short and unprepared runways, making it an ideal choice for operations in remote regions or with limited infrastructure. The aircraft can also be equipped with floats for water operations.

In terms of surveillance missions, the BN-2B Defender is equipped with advanced systems including cameras, sensors, communication equipment, and a Bendix RDR 1400 nose radar, capable of detecting a 100 square meter object at 61 kilometers, even in rough seas, or monitoring a 100 kilometer strip. This allows it to effectively carry out maritime surveillance, border patrol, and search and rescue missions. The aircraft can be configured for specific missions based on the operator's needs.

Several types of armament are available: typically, armed Defenders are equipped with 7.62mm machine guns in pods, 113 or 227kg bombs, rocket pods, as well as flare or electronic countermeasure pods.

In addition to its primary function of transportation and surveillance, the BN-2B can also be used for pilot training due to its maneuverability and ease of handling. Its versatile configuration also allows for parachute dropping, light cargo transport, and other special missions.

Although the BN-2B Defender has been in service for over 50 years, Britten-Norman continues to provide maintenance and support services to operators. Upgrades and improvements have been made to the aircraft over time to meet changing requirements and modern safety standards.

Technical specifications

Version: BN-2B
Crew	1 pilot
Operational range	1400 km (870 mi)
Maximum speed	264 km/h (164 mph)
Wing area	31.3 m² (337.0 sqft)
Wingspan	16.2 m (53.0 ft)
Height	4.2 m (13.7 ft)
Length	11.1 m (36.3 ft)
Service ceiling	4000 m (13123 ft)
Empty weight	1825 kg (4023 lbs)
Max. takeoff weight	2995 kg (6603 lbs)
Powerplant	2 × pistons engine Lycoming 0-540-E4C5 delivering 194 kW

Current operating countries

Country		Units
	Myanmar	5
	Philippines	5
	Zimbabwe	5
	India	4
	Central African Republic	2
	Guyana	2
🇦🇬	Antigua and Barbuda	1
🇧🇿	Belize	1
	Botswana	1
	Cambodia	1
	Indonesia	1
	Ireland	1
	Mali	1
	Malta	1
	Nepal	1