Posted on 09/16/2013 9:33:32 PM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
PICTURES: Cessna parent Textron pushes new strike jet
Ground testing is under way of an all-new jet-powered tactical strike aircraft designed to perform “lower-threat battlefield and homeland security missions” pitched at cash-strapped militaries across the globe.
Cessna parent Textron has teamed with AirLand Enterprises, forming a joint venutre, Textron AirLand, to develop the Scorpion, with first flight anticipated later this year, it says.
Textron
Development work on the programme started in January 2012 with the aiming building the “world’s most affordable tactical jet aircraft”, says Textron chairman and chief executive Scott Donnelly.
“We relied on commercial best practices to develop a tactical jet platform with flexibility and capabilities found only in far more costly aircraft,” he says.
Textron
The Scorpion is designed to accommodate the increasingly stringent budget constraints of the US Department of Defense and partner nations, it says, with its mission profile matched to those performed by the US Air National Guard.
Configured with canted tails and largely unswept wings which span 14.4m (47ft 4in), the Scorpion features and all-composite fuselage, internal payload bay and wing-mounted hardpoints for “precision and non-precision munitions”.
Textron
Production costs have been kept to a minimum “by leveraging systems developed for Cessna business jet platforms, common technology and manufacturing resources” according to the Scorpion’s marketing materials.
Power comes from a pair of turbofan engines producing 8,000lb thrust (35.6kN).
I want one!
Oh, a matched pair for me, please, so I can do 1v1 air combat maneuvering with my buddies.
cool
Does this mean that the Philippines and other countries might be able to get a “real” air force?
Seems like this could replace the OV-10 Bronco at least.
Likely medium thrust-to-weight and low roll rate, but small turn radius and good slow handling. Fun-looking machine.
““lower-threat battlefield and homeland security missions””
Sweet.
I’ll take the A-4 spare with bombs, rockets, and FAMMO sitting on the flight line. Unload on the range, hit the tanker, and then some ACM before RTB. My perfect day.
Strafing missions for TEA parties?
The 4 big tail surfaces should give it lots of control authority though. Lots of bulges and discontinuities / transitions, not going to be particularly stealthy. It had better be simple, cheap (both purchase and per flight hour), and have good payload and range else it doesn't look like it will have much going for it. Looks like a fun plane though, probably respond well to pilot inputs and be easy to land etc.
Agree, an ideal Freeper personal aircraft. XF-36 TPTF (Tea Party Tactical Fighter)
A “strike jet” for “ homeland security missions”?
ps looks like a swing wing?
I like that!
I also like their Citation-X which is the worlds fastest low-cost corporate jet.
Does that man border enforcement or the U.S. govt making war against Americans?
Low and slow...looks like it would be useful for drug interdiction and counterinsurgency but not high threat level battlefield ops (A-10 for those).
I could see putting a few of these in the hands of the Coast Guard for drug interdiction patrols along our southern coasts.
Perfect to napalm your neighborhood if DHS thinks there is an AR-15 owner living in it.
Looks like one of the Swedish Saab fighters of years ago.
“““lower-threat battlefield and homeland security missions””. Sweet.”
Yeah, I foresee the further militarization of Home Land Security, ATF and such.
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