Britten-Norman Defender (British Army Air Corps)

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SKB
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Britten-Norman Defender (British Army Air Corps)

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Introduction
The Britten-Norman Defender is a multi-role utility transport aircraft, manufactured by Britten-Norman of the United Kingdom. It is the military version of the Britten-Norman Islander, developed for roles such as utility transport, casualty evacuation, counter-insurgency and light attack, forward air control, patrol and reconnaissance.

Development
First flown in May 1970, the Defender was based on the civilian Islander, and has a larger airframe with four under wing hard points 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.

Defender 4000
The BN-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 the Trislander, a new nose structure capable of accommodating a FLIR turret or radar, and an increased payload. The prototype Defender 4000 first flew in 1994.

Operational history
The FBI deployed one Defender for electronic aerial surveillance on the Branch Davidians' compound during the siege of Waco in 1993.

In 1996, the Royal Cambodian Air Force deployed its three BN-2 Defenders in support of the dry season offensive against Khmer Rouge insurgents. The Defenders were armed with machine guns and rockets, and even dropped mortar rounds. One Defender was lost during the operation.

In 2003 the British Army bought four Defender 4000 aircraft, known in service as the Defender AL1, fitted with under-wing defensive aids dispensers and an electro-optical turret under the nose. Since then, one other has been converted to Defender AL2 specification and three more Defender AL2s and one Defender T3 trainer have been ordered.

The Irish Air Corps bought one Defender 4000 in 1997. It is operated by the Garda Air Support Unit.

In 2014 the Philippine Navy sent one of its Defenders to assist a multinational search and rescue party led by the government of Malaysia in search of the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370.

Variants
Defender - Multi-role utility transport aircraft.
Maritime Defender - Armed maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft.
Defender 4000 - Enhanced Defender for the urban surveillance, counter-terrorism and maritime surveillance roles.
AEW Defender - Airborne Early Warning aircraft

Specifications:

Overall Length: 40 ft 4 in (12.2 m)
Wingspan: 53 ft 0 in (16.2 m)
Height: 14 ft 3 in (4.4 m)
Empty Weight: 5,000 lb (2,300 kg)[10]
Maximum Takeoff & Landing Weight: 8,500 lb (3,900 kg)
Powerplant: 2x Rolls-Royce Allison 250-B17F turboprops
Takeoff Distance (Rolling): 1,167 ft (356 m)
Landing Distance (Rolling): 1,012 ft (308 m)
Rate Of Climb: 1,250 ft/min (6.35 m/s)
Absolute Ceiling: 25,500 ft (7,800 m)
Maximum Cruise Speed: 203 mph (176 knots, 326 km/h)
Economical Cruise Speed: 173mph (150 knots, 278 km/h)
Range (Instrument FR): 991 miles (861 nm, 1595 km)
Range (Visual FR): 1158 miles (1006 nm, 1863 km)
Payload (With Maximum Fuel): 1,598 lb (725 kg)

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SKB
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Re: Britten-Norman Defender (Army Air Corps)

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The Armchair Soldier
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Re: Britten-Norman Defender (Army Air Corps)

Post by The Armchair Soldier »

UK MoD looks to transfer Army Defender and Islander aircraft to RAF
Plans to transfer the British Army's fleet of Britten-Norman Islander and Defender aircraft to the Royal Air Force by 2018 are being developed by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD).

The proposal is part of a series of economy measures required to free up GBP11 billion (USD14.6 billion) to be re-invested in new capabilities, as mandated by the November 2015 Strategic Defence & Security Review (SDSR).
Read More: http://www.janes.com/article/63768/uk-m ... aft-to-raf

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whitelancer
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Re: Britten-Norman Defender (Army Air Corps)

Post by whitelancer »

Can't see how a transfer is going to save any money especially given that the RAF tends to have rather over blown establishments. Plus the process of transferring them will undoubtedly cost money. I wonder whether the opportunity will be taken to reduce the number of aircraft' or indeed to quietly shelve the capability altogether!

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Re: Britten-Norman Defender (Army Air Corps)

Post by arfah »

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marktigger
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Re: Britten-Norman Defender (Army Air Corps)

Post by marktigger »

thought the raf operated defenders of their own

topman
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Re: Britten-Norman Defender (Army Air Corps)

Post by topman »

More likely to be a change in how they operated and who 'owns' them rather than changing the uniforms of who refuels, flies them etc. Although I wouldn't be surprised to see them move bases.

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Re: Britten-Norman Defender (Army Air Corps)

Post by marktigger »

aren't they still at aldergrove?

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