| Defender | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Britten-Norman Defender AL2 of the BritishArmy Air Corps | |
| General information | |
| Type | Transport, patrol, reconnaissance |
| National origin | United Kingdom |
| Manufacturer | Britten-Norman |
| History | |
| First flight | May 1970 |
| Developed from | Britten-Norman Islander |
TheBritten-Norman Defender is a multi-role utility transport aircraft, manufactured byBritten-Norman of the United Kingdom. It is the military version of theBritten-Norman Islander, developed for roles such as utility transport, casualty evacuation, counter-insurgency and light attack, forward air control, patrol and reconnaissance. The term 'Britten-Norman Defender' refers to all militarised variants of the BN-2 product line including the BN-2 Piston Defender, the BN-2T Turbine Defender (sometimes known as the Defender 2000), the BN-2T-4R Defender (also known as AEW Defender and highlighted by its large bulbous nose) and the stretched variant BN-2T-4S, designated Defender 4000 (sometimes known as D4K).[1]
First flown in May 1970, the Defender was based on the civilian Islander, and has a largerairframe with four underwinghardpoints for pylons to attach 2,500 pounds (1,100 kg) of fuel tanks, bombs, missiles, 7.62-mm (0.3-inch) machine-gun pods, rocket pods, flares, sensors and other stores.
The BN-2B (piston version) and BN-2T (turbine version) are used in military, coastguard, and police operations in several countries.
TheBN-2T-4S Defender 4000 is an enhanced version of the BN-2T Defender intended for the aerial surveillance role. Compared to earlier Defenders, it has a stretched fuselage, the enlarged wing from theTrislander, a new nose structure capable of accommodating an EO/IR sensor andradar, and an increased payload.[2] The prototype Defender 4000 first flew in 1995 and entered production in 1997.[3]
TheFBI deployed one Defender for electronic aerial surveillance on theBranch Davidians' compound during thesiege of Waco in 1993.[4]
In August 2017, in an attempt to calm a gang war in Copenhagen, the Danish police force used at least one of the Danish National Guard's two Defenders to fly reconnaissance missions over the city.[5]
The Mauritanian Air Force employed six BN-2A-21 Defenders in theWestern Sahara War againstPOLISARIO forces in 1976, losing two of them in action.[6]
ARhodesian Air ForceAlouette III, configured as a gunship or 'K-Car' (20mm cannon), shot down aBotswana Defence Force Air Wing Islander on 9 August 1979.[7]
In 1996, theRoyal Cambodian Air Force deployed its three BN-2 Defenders in support of the dry season offensive againstKhmer Rouge insurgents. The Defenders were armed with machine guns and rockets, and even dropped mortar rounds. One Defender was lost during the operation.[8]
In 2014 thePhilippine Navy sent one of its Defenders to assist a multinational search and rescue party led by the government ofMalaysia in search of the missingMalaysia Airlines Flight 370.[9]
In January 2004, theBritish Army placed an urgent order for four BN-2T-4S Defender 4000 aircraft designated the AL Mk 1 forISTAR missions inIraq.[10] The Defender was to be configured similar to the ArmyIslander AL Mk 1 and Defenders in use withHampshire Constabulary andGreater Manchester Police.[10] In October 2004, the first aircraft was delivered toNo. 1 Flight AAC and deployed to Iraq that month.[10] The final Mk 1 was delivered in September 2006 toNo. 651 Squadron AAC which had been reformed to operate the Defender.[10] The Mk 1 was fitted with aWescam MX-15 Electro-Optical Infrared (EO/IR) turret under the nose, cabin-mounted cameras,COMINT andC2 equipment.[11][12][10] During the fleet's bi-annual return to the UK for in-depth servicing new ISTAR equipment was fitted.[10]
A second order was placed for four fully re-designed aircraft designated the Mk 2 and a trainer.[10] In September 2008, the first Mk 2 aircraft and one Mk 1 upgraded to Mk 2 standard were delivered.[10] The Mk 2 was fitted withTCAS,EGPWS, improvedDAS, an improved avionics suite and ISTAR equipment enhancements.[10] The Mk 2 had a longer endurance than the Mk 1, being able to carry more fuel and also being able to operate at a lower height.[10] The training variant was also delivered in September 2008 designated the T Mk 3.[10] The final Mk 2 aircraft was to be delivered by 2012 along with the three Mk 1s upgraded to Mk 2 standard.[10]
In June 2009, the Defender's deployment to Iraq ended with 651 Squadron serving continuously since October 2004 during which time it had provided over 8,000 hours in support of UK Forces.[10] From January to February 2010, the Defender was trialled in the Middle East with aCounter-IED capability for potential use inAfghanistan.[10] Defenders deployed to Afghanistan from November 2010 through to 2012.[10][13] In 2012, Defenders flew daily missions prior to and during theLondon2012 Summer Olympics.[13]
In April 2019, the Defender was transferred from the Army to theRoyal Air Force withNo. 1 Group.[14][15] The aircraft was re-designated from AL2 (prefix AL for Army liaison) to R2 (prefix R for Reconnaissance).[16][17][18]
In July 2021, it was reported that the Defender was retired from service on 30 June 2021 and that Britten-Norman had acquired the fleet and working with the Defence Equipment Sales Authority will convert the aircraft for civilian sale.[19][20][21]
.jpg)
Denmark
Ireland
Morocco
Philippines
Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004,[30] Britten-Norman[1]
General characteristics
Performance
Related development
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)