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Mystery Plane VI -- Textron Scorpion
- Thread starter Kernel Crittenden
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Fat Frank
US Veteran
Textron AirLand Scorpion
Light Attack, Intel, Surveillancce and recon.
Prototype built by Cessna in Wichita.
Light Attack, Intel, Surveillancce and recon.
Prototype built by Cessna in Wichita.
Toby, that's cheating. you're up when we're still sleeping. lee
Fat Frank
US Veteran
It's summer here, nights are short.
OP
Kernel Crittenden
US Veteran
Ding, ding, ding.... Fat Frank for the win. Four hours and four minutes.
The Textron-AirLand-Cessna E530 Scorpion first flew in December of 2013. It's intended to be a low-cost, low-technology, low-risk, surveillance/strike-fighter for countries like Iraq and Afghanistan, or any country looking for an affordable jet. The Swiss have been mentioned as a potential customer. To help keep cost and risks down, a number of major systems and components have been lifted direct from Cessna's proven designs that are currently in production. Fly away costs are expected to be under $20 million. This in an era when typical first line fighters start around $100 million.
The engine selected for the Scorpion was the Garrett-Honeywell TFE731, a popular geared turbofan that powers a large number of business jets. With over 11,000 engines made beginning in the early '70's, this was a wise choice for a low-cost low-risk airplane. Many a potentially great new plane has been doomed by a bad engine or an engine that took to long to develop or had teething problems. Textron estimates the potential market for the Scorpion is around 2,000 copies worldwide. (Good luck with that).
Armed in flight. "I can see ISIS from here!"
Farnborough 2014, looking for buyers. None have been announced yet.
Built in Wichita this is not your father's Cessna 172.
Though it's a two seater, the Scorpion is designed to be flown and operated by a crew of one.
The Textron-AirLand-Cessna E530 Scorpion first flew in December of 2013. It's intended to be a low-cost, low-technology, low-risk, surveillance/strike-fighter for countries like Iraq and Afghanistan, or any country looking for an affordable jet. The Swiss have been mentioned as a potential customer. To help keep cost and risks down, a number of major systems and components have been lifted direct from Cessna's proven designs that are currently in production. Fly away costs are expected to be under $20 million. This in an era when typical first line fighters start around $100 million.
The engine selected for the Scorpion was the Garrett-Honeywell TFE731, a popular geared turbofan that powers a large number of business jets. With over 11,000 engines made beginning in the early '70's, this was a wise choice for a low-cost low-risk airplane. Many a potentially great new plane has been doomed by a bad engine or an engine that took to long to develop or had teething problems. Textron estimates the potential market for the Scorpion is around 2,000 copies worldwide. (Good luck with that).
Armed in flight. "I can see ISIS from here!"
Farnborough 2014, looking for buyers. None have been announced yet.
Built in Wichita this is not your father's Cessna 172.
Though it's a two seater, the Scorpion is designed to be flown and operated by a crew of one.
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OP
Kernel Crittenden
US Veteran
Scorpion in the news.......
US Defense Secretary to offer Scorpion to India under joint development plan
US Defense Secretary to offer Scorpion to India under joint development plan
LVSteve
Member
Biggest obstacle to sales is that it is not supersonic. I know, I know, cracking the barrier is not on the mission list, but for an air force to knowingly buy any kind of armed aircraft that is not supersonic (even if only when clean) just goes against the grain for most countries and their flyboys. Station and squadron commanders like to look out on new shiny stuff they know goes fast. They're just wired that way.
zzzippper
Member
It has serious competition from South Korea: KAI T-50 Golden Eagle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
