Textron AirLand’s Scorpion to Make International Debut at The Royal International Air Tattoo and Farnborough International Air Show in July

Scorpion will team with Citation Sovereign+ prototype for first European trek

The Scorpion ISR/Strike aircraft will travel nearly 10,000 nautical miles this summer to attend major air shows. (Photo: Business Wire)

WICHITA, Kan.--()--Textron AirLand, LLC, a joint venture between Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) and AirLand Enterprises, LLC, today announced that the Scorpion will fly from Wichita, Kansas to the United Kingdom, appearing at two of the world’s premier defense aviation exhibitions. Scorpion will participate in Royal Air Tattoo from July 11 to 13, immediately followed by Farnborough International Air Show from July 14 to 20.

The flight to Europe comes just six months after Scorpion’s first flight in December 2013. Since that time, Scorpion has completed 41 test flights for a total of 77 hours. “We’re confident that the Scorpion will excel in its first international flights, travelling about 4,700 nautical miles to the UK this July,” said Bill Anderson, president of Textron AirLand. “The aircraft has passed all of its early testing milestones, and now we’re excited about demonstrating its long-range performance,” he added.

In recent flight tests, Scorpion has proven to be very reliable and agile, reaching a top speed of 0.76 Mach or 455 KTAS. As a high subsonic aircraft, Scorpion will be accompanied by another powerful jet during its flight to Europe. The prototype Cessna Citation Sovereign+ business jet—capable of 460 KTAS—will serve as the chase jet, observing and recording Scorpion’s performance and carrying the ground support crew. The Scorpion-Sovereign+ pair will follow a northern route, leaving Kansas in early July and traveling through Canada and Nordic nations before arriving in the UK.

The roundtrip distance of nearly 10,000 nm will be logged as part of Scorpion’s rigorous 2014 testing program, expected to reach 300-400 test hours and some 150 flights by year’s end. For a closer look at the Scorpion and its mission capabilities, please visit www.ScorpionJet.com. Downloadable images and videos of recent test flights are available in the Scorpion Media Gallery.

About Textron

Textron is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna, Beechcraft, Hawker, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee and Textron Systems. More information is available at www.textron.com.

About Textron AirLand, LLC

Textron AirLand, LLC is a joint venture between Textron Inc. and AirLand Enterprises, LLC with the purpose of designing and manufacturing an affordable, capable jet platform based on commercially available technologies and processes for the tactical military jet aviation market. More information about our initial aircraft is available at www.ScorpionJet.com.

About AirLand Enterprises, LLC

AirLand Enterprises, LLC was formed by a group of experienced aerospace and defense executives dedicated to bringing an effective, low-cost, ISR/Strike jet to domestic and international military markets, replacing aging aircraft and complimenting high-end multi-role fighters.

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements which may project revenues or describe strategies, goals, outlook or other non-historical matters; these statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the efficacy of research and development investments to develop new products or unanticipated expenses in connection with the launching of significant new products or programs; the timing of our new product launches or certifications of our new aircraft products; our ability to keep pace with our competitors in the introduction of new products and upgrades with features and technologies desired by our customers; changing priorities or reductions in the U.S. Government defense budget, including those related to military operations in foreign countries; changes in foreign military funding priorities or budget constraints and determinations, or changes in government regulations or policies on the export and import of military and commercial products; volatility in the global economy or changes in worldwide political conditions that adversely impact demand for our products; and performance issues with key suppliers or subcontractors.

Contacts

Textron
Investor Contact:
Doug Wilburne, 401-457-2288
or
Robert Bridge, 401-457-2288
or
Media Contact:
David Sylvestre, 401-457-2362

Release Summary

Textron AirLand’s Scorpion to make international debut at The Royal International Air Tattoo and Farnborough International Air Show in July.

Contacts

Textron
Investor Contact:
Doug Wilburne, 401-457-2288
or
Robert Bridge, 401-457-2288
or
Media Contact:
David Sylvestre, 401-457-2362