Photograph:
An artist’s impression of the proposed Stormer (Seabird Aviation)
Country of origin:
Australia
Description:
Two-seat light surveillance, reconnaissance and liaison platform
Power Plant:
One 560 kw (750 shp) Pratt & Whitney PT-6 turboprop
Specifications:
- TBA
Armament:
TBA
History:
The SB-9 Stormer was a development of Seabird Aviation’s Seeker and Sentinel series and was designed to offer a cost-effective, fixed-wing alternative to the military helicopters in operations with air arms around the world, particularly in hostile environments. The design was for an aircraft with a mission profile that included border patrol, coastal surveillance, interdiction, military reconnaissance and liaison. It was introduced following years of operation of the Seeker in hostile environments, particularly with forces in Iraq, the machine being somewhat larger than the Seeker but of similar configuration. The aim was for it to carry out some of the operations that were carried out by AH-1 Cobra and AH-64 Apache helicopter gunships.
The Stormer, if and when built, would have been 40% to 50% larger than the Seeker and would have been powered by a turboprop engine driving a constant-speed, fully reversing propeller. The design was also being developed to meet a requirement for a passenger aircraft seating from four to six persons. The aim was to develop a common rear assembly comprising the tail assembly, tail-boom, wing and engine but offering a range of fuselages to meet different purposes forward of the firewall. But the main purpose was to provide a fixed-wing alternative to helicopter operations in hostile environments.
Basic design parameters were a turboprop power plant; an endurance of up to four hours plus a statutory reserve; a crew of two in tandem configuration; a payload of 1,000 kg (2,204 lb); standard fuel carried in wing tanks with long-range internal tanks an option; and increased volumetric capacity to install surveillance and photo reconnaissance equipment as required. Development of the design continued. However, since Seabird Aviation of Hervey Bay QLD became American owned, further development may be taking place there.