Britten-Norman Aerospace

Britten-Norman is a British aircraft manufacturer best known for the twin-engine Islander and its special-mission derivative, the Defender. The company describes itself as the UK's only CAA A2 approved aircraft manufacturer and has been building Islander aircraft continuously since the first prototype in 1965, with over 1,300 Islanders built and customers in more than 100 countries across six continents. The Islander is positioned as a market-leading STOL twin-engine aircraft, accumulating roughly 20 million flight hours. It is offered in commuter (9-passenger), executive, freight, air-ambulance and special-mission configurations, with Lycoming piston or Rolls-Royce Model 250 turboprop powerplants, and a Garmin G600/GTN glass cockpit as standard. The Defender is the special-mission variant for intelligence, counter-terrorism, surveillance, reconnaissance, maritime patrol and similar roles, with twin Rolls-Royce 250 turboprops, integral hard points, and provision for 360-degree surface-search radar, EO/IR, SAR, SLAR, ESM/ECM, datalinks and satcom. The Defender 4000 is a next-generation development combining single-pilot operation with higher all-up weight and endurance. Beyond aircraft sales, Britten-Norman offers field servicing and global support, modifications and upgrades (2,044+ to date), aircraft operations, design approvals and technical publications, and an EASA-approved training organisation. Facilities span the UK (Bembridge Airport on the Isle of Wight, Daedalus Airfield at Lee-on-the-Solent, and a design office in Southampton) and the Americas (Miami, USA).