The XSB2A-1 was powered by a single Wright R-2600 engine which drove a three-bladed propeller. It shared the single-engined, mid-winged monoplane layout of the earlier aircraft, but was larger and had a more powerful engine.

The XSB2A-1's design was heavily based on the earlier Brewster SBA scout-bomber. In April that year the Brewster Aeronautical Corporation was selected to build a prototype of its Model 340 design to meet this requirement this aircraft was to be designated the XSB2A-1. In early 1939 the United States Navy's Bureau of Aeronautics launched a program to develop larger scout/bombers to operate from the Navy's aircraft carriers. The Brewster Corporation itself closed in 1946. The type is considered by historians to have been among the worst of World War II. Many of the completed aircraft were scrapped without entering service. SB2As were used as target tugs by the RAF and US Navy, trainers by the USMC, and 'hacks' by the USAAF. The Buccaneer was underpowered and poorly constructed, and all of its operators considered it to be unsuitable for combat. An Australian order was cancelled before any of the type were delivered. The Dutch order was later taken over by the US Navy and the French order by Britain. The SB2A was developed for the US Navy, and also ordered in large quantities by the Dutch, French, and British Governments.

The Buccaneer was overweight and lacked maneuverability, and has been described as a 'classic failure' while designed as a scout bomber, none saw combat, although a number found use in noncombat roles. It was also supplied to the Royal Air Force (RAF), United States Army Air Forces, and United States Marine Corps. The Brewster SB2A Buccaneer is a single-engined mid-wing monoplane scout bomber aircraft built by the Brewster Aeronautical Corporation for the United States Navy between 19.

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