Posted on 12/13/2013 12:03:19 PM PST by sukhoi-30mki
Well done to Textron AirLand, which has completed the first flight of its (let’s be kind) “unique-looking” Scorpion light strike aircraft.
Stephen Trimble’s report into the design’s 12 December debut reveals an expected unit cost of less than $20 million, discussions with at least two potential military customers, and the possibility of producing the aircraft in an unmanned configuration.
Do we think the Scorpion will be a game-changer? Most likely not in the manned counter-insurgency segment: this is a model which could satisfy a niche requirement for most optimistically a small number of users. The prospect of a twin-jet unmanned intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platform also might appeal to only a handful of buyers.
What’s refreshing though is that the team behind the composite-fuselaged type has gone from concept to first flight in just 23 months. We’ll be keeping an eye on the project over the coming year, with first weapons trials due to occur before the end of 2014.
[No apologies for the German mullet-rock-inspired headline, by the way.] - See more at: http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/the-dewline/2013/12/scorpions-wind-change/#sthash.Gdk0NzSf.dpuf
Years ago they tried to interest the USAF in a trainer powered by twin jet engines from their Citation bizjet line. They built a prototype but couldn't sell it to the AF.
I suspect this is another attempt, updated but based on that aircraft (which explains the quick 23-month development - they had a head start).
That’s about dead on.
i’d love to give it a shot
Sorry. The Scorpions are a ‘70s/’80s/’90s metal band from Germany...very popular. They had a popular ballad called “Wind of Change” about the end of the cold war and glasnost/paristroika.
Thank you.
Textron is still the parent company of both Cessna and Bell Helicopter.
They did, however, have a good deal of success with the T-37 and A-37.
Yes, that would be the Cessna Model 526. It was Cessna’s entry for a joint US Navy and US Air Force request for proposals issued in the early 1990s.
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