First production-standard Scorpion gets airborne
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First production-standard Scorpion gets airborne
On Flight Global - First production-standard Scorpion gets airborne
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Click the link for photo & more details. Sounds like a potentially versatile workhorse. All they need now are customers...
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Textron AirLand has completed the debut flight of its first production-conforming Scorpion, with the multi-mission platform having received numerous enhancements over its earlier prototype.
Conducted from McConnell AFB in Kansas on 22 December, the 1h 42min first flight “verified the avionics and aerodynamic performance, as well as a number of aircraft systems”, the Textron company says. Registered as N530TX, the jet “performed extremely well”, it adds.
Design improvements introduced with the new aircraft include a simplified landing gear, enhanced aft horizontal stabiliser and an additional 4˚ of sweep to its wing.
In the cockpit, the Scorpion gets a new head-up display, hands-on-throttle-and-stick controls and a Garmin G3000-based avionics suite. “The newly configured avionics system features a large, high-definition display complemented by touch-screen controllers and provides more mission capability in the forward cockpit position, additional navigation capability in the rear cockpit position and overall weight savings,” the airframer says.
Conducted from McConnell AFB in Kansas on 22 December, the 1h 42min first flight “verified the avionics and aerodynamic performance, as well as a number of aircraft systems”, the Textron company says. Registered as N530TX, the jet “performed extremely well”, it adds.
Design improvements introduced with the new aircraft include a simplified landing gear, enhanced aft horizontal stabiliser and an additional 4˚ of sweep to its wing.
In the cockpit, the Scorpion gets a new head-up display, hands-on-throttle-and-stick controls and a Garmin G3000-based avionics suite. “The newly configured avionics system features a large, high-definition display complemented by touch-screen controllers and provides more mission capability in the forward cockpit position, additional navigation capability in the rear cockpit position and overall weight savings,” the airframer says.
If Afghanistan and Iraq are smart they will use their huge FMF dollars to have Uncle Sam buy some of these jets for them. Unless Textron move production to Mexico to keep costs down of course 
I will always wonder how the F-20 would have fared if a decent sized launch customer could have been found.
I will always wonder how the F-20 would have fared if a decent sized launch customer could have been found.
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Strange to refer to the aircraft by a name. Thought it was normal, even if a private venture, for the US to give it a designation. ( Might have one, but do not want to get side tracked on Gooogle looking at insects stabbing things. 
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I gather that the prototype was evaluated by UK military pilots when it came to Farnborough last summer:
https://www.flightglobal.com/news/ar...ing-de-427311/
But surely that would cause 't Bungling Baron Waste O' Space to go purple with rage? A capability that might even come in on time and budget, rather than being nailed together in some dark Satanic mill oop Nawrth - with a couple of extra zeroes being added to the cost here and there....
https://www.flightglobal.com/news/ar...ing-de-427311/
But surely that would cause 't Bungling Baron Waste O' Space to go purple with rage? A capability that might even come in on time and budget, rather than being nailed together in some dark Satanic mill oop Nawrth - with a couple of extra zeroes being added to the cost here and there....
(Scorpion) Design improvements introduced ......... include a simplified landing gear.....(and) a new head-up display.
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Beags
Qinetiq have just brought the Pilatus PC21 for the ETPS role............. neatly sidestepping the Warton salesmen...........
https://www.qinetiq.com/media/news/r...ot-school.aspx
Arc
Qinetiq have just brought the Pilatus PC21 for the ETPS role............. neatly sidestepping the Warton salesmen...........
https://www.qinetiq.com/media/news/r...ot-school.aspx
Arc
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Madbob
I'd think it unlikely that MoD would purchase a new type in such limited numbers just for an aerobatic team.
More likely that some old Tucanos would be recycled I bet..............
Arc
I'd think it unlikely that MoD would purchase a new type in such limited numbers just for an aerobatic team.
More likely that some old Tucanos would be recycled I bet..............
Arc
