Defender

The Banu Defender ( Banu: oktæ banu(oktæ Banu); ) is a small two-seat combat ship utilized by the Banu to provide protection and fly alongside the Merchantman. Its design features Xi'an thrusters, Tevarin shields, and four Singe tachyon cannons. As a result, with a light-weight hull, it allows the ship to be agile and fast. Though cargo space is limited, the Defender features modest accommodations for its crew and provides easy access to components.^[1]^[2]

Although the shape, hull, and design of the Defender remains consistent across all Defender models, features can be different from different manufacturers. The below features are based on the Human export model manufactured by Jannue Mon-Li.^[3]

Features

Dual cockpit

The Defender utilizes the Banu's different style of piloting and co-piloting, where the co-pilot can control the main armament of the ship alongside the pilot in the dual cockpit system of the Defender. If desired, the co-pilot could focus on engineering or other ship matters to free up the pilot's attention.^[1] Different from the Human variant, the Defender built for Banu have isolated functions on the pilot seats so responsibilities cannot be shared between pilot and co-pilot. This is because the Banu pilot prefer to specialize in one task, while Human pilots prefer flexibility and an ability to assign functions as needed.

Phalanx shield

The Tevarin Phalanx shield combined with light oxus composite armor keeps the fighter light and fast, which is ideal for quick maneuvering during combat.

Minimalistic interior

With its emphasis on combat, the Defender has minimal cargo space and small sleeping quarters. Engines and components are shielded by cascading spinal shutters. Doors and shutters are molded into the walls to create a smooth, seamless aesthetic while still providing operator access.

Extended range

The Banu developed the Defender to provide protection and fly alongside the Merchantman, so its design includes a much improved range over other fighters of similar size due to its fuel intakes, dual fuel tanks, large quantum drive, and a powerful, efficient jump drive.^[4]

Additional Storage

The Banu defender has racks for up to 2 handheld weapons.

Ports

4×S3VariPuck S3 Gimbal Mount

S3Singe Cannon (S3)

2×S3MSD-322 Missile Rack

2×S2Ignite II Missile

S3MSD-322 Missile Rack

2×S2Ignite II Missile

S2Sukoran

S1ARMR_BANU_Defender

2×S1Polar

2×S1IonBurst

S1Flight Blade

S1Beacon

S1Explorer

S1Anvil Decoy Launcher

S1Anvil Noise Launcher

S1Ecouter

S1ComfortAir

S1hardpoint_paint

Thrusters

2×S2BANU_Defender_Thruster_Main

2×S2BANU_Defender_Thruster_Retro

4×S2BANU_Defender_Thruster_Mav_Bottom

4×S2BANU_Defender_Thruster_Mav_Lateral

4×S2BANU_Defender_Thruster_Mav_Top

Controllers

S1COMMS

S1HEAT

S1SECURITY

S1POWER

S1LIGHTS

S1hardpoint_controller_scanner

S1SHIELDS

S1WEAPONS

S1MISSILES

S1Controller_CapacitorAssignment

S1Controller_Fuel

S1hardpoint_air_traffic_controller

Crew Stations

2×S1BANU_Defender_Dashboard_Pilot

2×S1hardpoint_seat_access

2×S1TRGT. STATUS

Fuel

2×S1INTK_BANU_Defender

2×S1Internal Tank

S1Internal Tank

Other

4×S1hardpoint_interior_hab

2×S1hardpoint_ping

2×S1Bed

S1Weapon_Rack_BANU_Defender_2_Slots

S1TARGET SELECTOR

S1hardpoint_cockpit_flair_hang

Systems

S1Self Destruct Unit

2×S1hardpoint_weapon_regen_pool

Doors & Hatches

S1Door

Landing Systems

S1Default_LandingSystem

Docking

S1DockingTube_Fuel_Ports_BANU_Defender

Relays

S1Relay

Model

Ship profile

Isometric	Above	Port-side	Front	Rear	Below

Isometric	Above	Port-side	Front	Rear

Paints

"Harmony"	"Ocellus"	"Platinum"	"Polar"	"Stormbringer"	"Wanderer"

Acquisition

Buy: Yes
Rent: Yes
Pledge: Yes

System	Location	Buy	Updated	Version
Stanton	Astro Armada - Area 18	6,237,000	2026-06-14	4.8.2

System	Location	Rent	Updated	Version
Stanton	Regal Luxury Rentals - New Babbage Interstellar Spaceport - New Babbage	155,925	2026-05-21	4.8.2

Pledge price history

Date	Pledge cost (USD)	Insurance	Availability	Sale
2017-04-21	185 (Warbond - 170)	LTI	Time-limited	Concept sale ^[5]
2020-06-12	220	6 months	Time-limited	2020 Alien Week^[6]

Tactics

The Defender has an edge in maneuverability over human fighters like the Super Hornet and Sabre, which themselves have edges in durability and armament, respectively. Defenders excel in distracting and confounding would-be attackers, giving their charges (like the Merchantman) the chance to slip away to safety. Their speed and mobility make them good for holding the point position, intercepting threats, and reacting quickly to flanking maneuvers. These traits make the Defender a formidable opponent. They present attackers with a dilemma; expend precious time and fuel trying to pin down an agile escort, or try to weather their fire while focusing on the Merchantmen? Since raiders often favor fast, heavily armed, but lightly armored ships, the choice can be a difficult one.^[4]

Lore

While the Merchantman boasts a cavernous cargo area, it lacks the offensive capabilities to ward off large numbers of attackers. The Defender is designed to defend and escort the Merchantman. The ship has been around since Humanity's first contact with Banu in 2438, it has changed since then. Since the Banu have traded heavily with other species for hundreds of years, the Defenders have a patchwork design that incorporates elements of tech from other cultures. In the latest iteration, the shield were originated from the Tevarin's Phalanx shield, and the previous Human thrusters were abandoned because Xi'an's design has superior performance. This approach highlights one of the key points of Banu engineering, if the technology works better for the overall design, the Banu will use it.^[3]

The name "Defender" is chosen by individual manufacturers that manufacturers Human variant of Defender in an attempt to appeal to the Human market.^[3]

Gallery

Development

The concept was designed to introduce an alien interceptor and prototype the look and feel of Banu materials, processes, and controls that will eventually carry over to the larger Merchantman implementation.^[7]

According to Ben Lesnick (Director of Ship Concepts), the Defender was originally pitched as the "Banu Minuteman" with the idea that it was intended specifically to protect Merchantmen (and larger trade ships) at a moment's notice. The name had ultimately changed because "Minuteman" is such a specifically American historical reference that it wouldn't really make sense for an alien race.^[8]

2017-04-21	Concept sale.^[9]
2019-03-07	Delayed to be flight ready from Alpha 3.5.0 to Alpha 3.6.0.^[9]
2019-07-21	Delayed to be flight ready from Alpha 3.6.0 to Alpha 3.7.0.^[10]
2019-10-11	Flight ready in Alpha 3.7.0.^[11]

Role	Contributors
Original concept	Jan Urschel^[8]
Art	Paul Jones^[8]
Technical design	Jonny Jacevicius, John Crewe^[4]
System design	Stephen Hosmer^[12]

Aims & Aesthetic
Aims	Banu combat ship, nimble fighter Designed as a multi-crew escort fighter/interceptor for the Banu Merchantman
Aesthetic	Banu design with cobbled-together parts from other alien races. Should be using Tevarin shields, for example

Approximate statistics
Length	28 Meters	Longer than the Gladius, but sleeker and has to fit two crew and a small interior.
Mass	18,000 kg	Larger than the Gladius (16,000 kg) but lightly armoured.
Crew	2	Seats a dedicated pilot and a support seat. The Banu specialise in their roles, so one usually takes on the role of firing the weapons or managing power/shields, while the other concentrates on flying.
Engine	1 x Medium	One medium engine which powers four main nozzles, using Xi'an engine technology.
Thrusters	12 x Fixed Thrusters	4 on top, 4 on the sides and 4 on the bottom to cover all angles of movement. Uses fixed thrusters to improve ship agility.
Power Plants	2 x Small	Enough to power all ship systems. It uses one more than most light fighters as it has an interior, additional seat and a larger shield.
Weapon Hardpoints	4 x Size 2 Weapons (Gimbal – Nose) 2 x S3 Missile Hardpoint (4 x S2 Missiles)	Gimballed weapons on the nose for the co-pilot to more easily control (if co-pilot is controlling weapons) while the pilot is flying. Weapons on the nose have fixed gimbal mounts, fixed mounts. Weapons of larger sizes cannot be equipped.
Shield	1 x Medium	Large ship for a light fighter. Uses advanced Tevarin shields as a unique feature of the ship, so these need to be powerful.
Armour	Light	Very nimble fighter. More defensive focus is on the advanced Tevarin shields to keep it light and fast.

Metric & Templates
A list of all components, templates and measurements that the concept artist needs to adhere to.
Animation Templates	Seat template: Gladius (low tech, static ejection seat). Enter/exit animation for the seat: New (entering from the rear, might require a new anim to get in and out of the seat). Enter/exit animation for the ship: None, transport-style entrance via ramp.
Ship Components	Components that need to be accessible behind walls or floor panels, or have the interior built around them: Power Plants: 2 Small (0.5m x 0.75m x 0.5m) Shield Generator: 1 Medium (0.5m x 1.5m x 0.5m) Avionics: 1 Small (0.75m x 0.5m x 0.375m) Coolers: 2 Small (0.5m x 0.75m x 0.25m) Gravity Generator: 1 Small (0.5m x 0.5m x 0.5m) Jump Drive: 1 Small (0.5m x 0.75m x 0.75m) Life Support: 1 Small (0.5m x 0.5m x 0.25m) Radar: 1 Small (0.5m x 0.5m x 0.25m) Components that don't need to be accessed but are somewhere on/inside the ship: Fuel Tanks: 2 Medium (1.0m x 2.0m x 1.0m)
Interior Spaces	Basic interior space for a crew of 2 to enter, walk around in, access components and access the cockpits.
Cargo	No cargo requirements

Requirements
Separate Cockpits & Ejection	Cockpits need to be doored off from the rest of the interior, so crew aren't exposed to depressurisation when the ramp is opened. This also prevents the entire interior from depressurising when a crew member ejects from the ship. Keeping the cockpits separate means each crew member may choose when to eject, rather than being ejected when the other crew member is.
Cockpit View – Suggestion	Banu crew work closely together to merge their specialised roles. It would be nice to keep crew members in view of each other from either cockpit
Ejection Capable Cockpit/Seat	Banu seat needs to be capable of ejecting. Cockpit needs quick release/open capability. Clearance for the seat to eject without colliding with the ship.
Support Cockpit & Controls	This cockpit needs to be nearly identical to the pilot's in terms of screen and UI layout. It needs a joystick for controlling ship weapons. No throttle required.