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
Nice clean design but the market for it is very slim.
Ping.
A-10 daddy and a F-18 mommy.
Do you reckon you could fly one of these off an amphibious assault ship?
That’s the first thing I thought of too. Big fan here. :)
doesn’t look unmanned to me
heh
Philippines, they can’t seem to afford real jets
Clue me in, please.
An Upgrade to the Folland Gnat of the movie “Hot Shots”
Modern Su-25 knockoff.
Why did they eliminate swept wings?
Possibly because it is designed to be a subsonic aircraft and they wanted better low speed performance?
No way to stop. The max gross weight is reported at around 21k, and that is full fuel, crew and 3k of sensors and weapons. Might not be a bad competitor with an AT-6.
Same here,, ever since I picked up Lonesome Crow as an import LP back in the day,,,
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