Cessna Scorpion
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This is the underlying motivation:
And reconfiguring the plane as a trainer may be the key, Jaworowski said. Textron may be angling to make the Scorpion a contender in the coming fierce competition for the contract for at least 350 of the next generation of U.S. Air Force trainer to replace Northrop Grumman’s T-38.
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“We began development of the Scorpion in January 2012 with the objective to design, build and fly the world’s most affordable tactical jet aircraft capable of performing lower-threat battlefield and homeland security missions,”
GR - In this case "homeland security" means doing what CBP already does with Cessna Citations (fitted with Selex AESA radars by the way) - chasing low/slow intruders suspected of narcotics or other trafficking operations.
The problem I see with this aircraft is that its mission space and market niche are squeezed from multiple directions - armed trainers, low-end fighters, civvy-based surveillance aircraft and even UAVs. The phrase "not sure you thought your brilliant plan all the way through" comes to mind.
The problem I see with this aircraft is that its mission space and market niche are squeezed from multiple directions - armed trainers, low-end fighters, civvy-based surveillance aircraft and even UAVs. The phrase "not sure you thought your brilliant plan all the way through" comes to mind.
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Cessna reliability, plentiful spares and readily accessible if they use their dealerships the world over. Cheap as chips to operate and maintain with biz jet engines, 20,000 hr airframe life, 5 hr endurance and a 400 kt speed.
I can see it selling. It's far better and more realistic to flog something like this to the likes of Nigeria, than the stupid Jaguars that sat baking and rotting in the weeds with 100 hrs and less on them. On which the UK PLC was the guarantor and as the Nigerians defaulted on the payments we picked up the bill.
..
I can see it selling. It's far better and more realistic to flog something like this to the likes of Nigeria, than the stupid Jaguars that sat baking and rotting in the weeds with 100 hrs and less on them. On which the UK PLC was the guarantor and as the Nigerians defaulted on the payments we picked up the bill.
..
Last edited by NutLoose; 19th Sep 2013 at 19:45.
Captain Radar - A good point. If the Scorpion has two EO turrets, radar, AIS and ESM, and is coordinating surface forces (intercept boats for example) and talking to the commander on shore, the poor GIB is going to be rather busy, and after six hours in the cockpit, a bit tired.
And I don't know the price for a Scorpion, but this is actually a lighter aircraft with less costly engines:
And I don't know the price for a Scorpion, but this is actually a lighter aircraft with less costly engines:
Join Date: Feb 2006
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The Scorpion has a cruising speed of up to 517 mph, a ferry range of 2,400 nautical miles, an internal payload of up to 3,000 pounds and wing-mounted precision munitions.
Think they have something in their blurb,
“The aircraft’s design is well matched to the Air National Guard’s missions such as irregular warfare, border patrol, maritime surveillance, emergency relief, counter narcotics and air defense operations,” the joint venture’s website says.
According to a report from Aviation Week, F-16s, which are currently used in many of those roles, cost about $25,000 an hour to operate. Textron AirLand’s goal is for the Scorpion to perform those missions at almost a tenth of that cost, Aviation Week said.
“We began development of the Scorpion in January 2012 with the objective to design, build and fly the world’s most affordable tactical jet aircraft capable of performing lower-threat battlefield and homeland security missions,” Textron Chairman and CEO Scott Donnelly said in a statement.
According to a report from Aviation Week, F-16s, which are currently used in many of those roles, cost about $25,000 an hour to operate. Textron AirLand’s goal is for the Scorpion to perform those missions at almost a tenth of that cost, Aviation Week said.
“We began development of the Scorpion in January 2012 with the objective to design, build and fly the world’s most affordable tactical jet aircraft capable of performing lower-threat battlefield and homeland security missions,” Textron Chairman and CEO Scott Donnelly said in a statement.
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