Special Missions

The aircraft’s slow speed handling, extreme stability, high wing design giving near 360 degree visibility, endurance and long-range capability make it an ideal platform for aerial survey operations, where close monitoring and precise imaging is required.  The aircraft can carry a large range of specialist instrumentation including Synthetic Aperture Radar with change detection, large format mapping, Hyperspectral analysis, LIDAR, material detection and all sizes of vertical and oblique survey cameras.

Real-time IP data links enable quick and secure transfer of information to ground research teams for analysis. Spray pods options are available for immediate deployment of dispersants.

The aircraft’s extended cabin can be configured to carry three fitted stretchers and medical team or Lifeport™ system.

The large sliding access door and the aircraft’s modular design allow it to be quickly adapted if required to carry medical freight to emergency situations, disaster relief and humanitarian aid.

The aircraft is a highly effective and versatile tactical ISAR aircraft giving strategic, operational and tactical commanders enhanced situational awareness of the complex intelligence operations.  The aircraft can be configured for surveillance roles using EO/IR sensors, radars, BLOS and LOS for secure IP data links and tactical communications, SIGINT systems and bespoke (customer specified) technology.

Under wing stores can be used for resupply pods to personnel in hostile environments, including emergency medical equipment.

Twin-engine safety, stability, near 360 degree visibility and long-range EEZ capability make it the aircraft an ideal platform to configure for maritime operations, particularly those requiring extended search patterns such as search and rescue or vessel location and surveillance.

Coastguard, fishery protection, border surveillance and naval services can use the aircraft to adopt intelligence-led patrol strategies using EO/IR sensors, maritime radio, Automatic Identification of Shipping, maritime radar, SAR, LIDAR and deployable life preserving aids.

Law enforcement configurations for the Defender include roles such as homeland security, serious and organised crime and counter-terrorism operations.  Through its slow speed handling and low noise characteristics, the Defender is a surveillance force multiplier that enables commanders to obtain the operational initiative.

The aircraft’s loiter capability enables the monitoring of crime “hot spots” and major incidents, relaying real-time data to command and control centres as situations develop.  Twin engine capability allows for safe urban operations at low and medium altitude. Details of specialist mission technologies are available on request.

Britten-Norman offers versatile solutions to meet individual customers’ needs. Our in-house design, manufacturing, integration and certification teams work closely with the client to develop bespoke solutions and provide concepts to meet unique requirements.

The internal configuration of the aircraft can be ergonomically designed to meet a wide range of specialist requirements including single and dual operator consoles that can be quickly removed for aircraft re role (such as ISR to medivac).