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The SB2A (Brewster Model 340) was a development of Brewster's earlier SBA scout-bomber, sharing the single-engined, mid-winged monoplane layout of the earlier aircraft, but was larger and had a more powerful engine. It carried up to 1,000 lb (454 kg) of bombs in an internal bomb bay and for defensive purposes was fitted with a power-operated turret armed with two .30 in machine guns supplementing a further four forward-firing guns.

The US Navy ordered a prototype XSB2A on 4 April 1939, which first flew on 17 June 1941.[1] Large-scale orders had already been placed by this time, however, with the United Kingdom ordering 750 aircraft as the Brewster Bermuda and the Netherlands ordering a further 162 to equip the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army Air Force.[2] The first US Navy production order, for 140 aircraft, was placed on 24 December 1940.[1]

The RAAF had plans to order approximately 240 Bermudas in mid-1941 to re-equip 11 squadrons, but problems with the plane led the RAAF to cancel the order in November 1941, opting instead for the Vultee Vengeance.[2]