WICHITA, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Textron AirLand, LLC, a joint venture between Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) and AirLand Enterprises, LLC, has announced that its Scorpion aircraft is progressing on schedule toward a July departure from McConnell Air Force Base in Kansas. The aircraft’s first flight outside the US is planned to cover about 4,700 nautical miles from Wichita to RAF Fairford-Gloucestershire, 73 miles outside of London. Scorpion will participate in The Royal International Air Tattoo from July 11 to 13, immediately followed by Farnborough International Air Show from July 14 to 20.
The most recent test flights in May-June have gone smoothly, evaluating the aircraft’s performance at speeds up to 455 KTAS. During a typical test flight, Scorpion’s two test pilots execute a planned set of aerial maneuvers and system checks, as the data is automatically gathered and transmitted to the engineering team for analysis. The latest tests have included:
- Avionics and Electrical Systems Evaluations
- Environmental and OBOGS System Evaluations
- High and low speed flight characteristics
Scorpion completes endurance flight of 1,000 miles
On June 21, Scorpion completed its longest test flight to date— executing a flight plan that took it over 1,000 nautical miles from McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, KS to Oklahoma City, OK. The tandem-pilot team completed a few touch-and-go landings in the tower pattern upon arrival in Oklahoma City. Flight time for the test was 3.4 hours, reaching a new milestone of 100 total flight hours for the aircraft. The return flight was completed on June 23.
Looking sharp and ready to sting
In preparation for the July air shows, Scorpion’s all-composite exterior has gone from a flat light gray to a two-tone dark gray over light gray paint scheme. The aircraft, in development for use as an jet trainer, surveillance platform or light strike aircraft, will appear on exhibit, displayed with several weapons models such as: Raytheon Griffin Missiles, Boeing JDAM and SDBs, Textron Systems Weapon & Sensor Systems G-CLAWs, Raytheon Enhanced Paveway 4, and Lockheed Martin Hellfire and DAGR. Scorpion may be configured to accommodate various infrared air-to-air missiles and wing-mounted gun pods. The aircraft will be on display outside the Textron Chalet, alongside Textron Aviation’s Beechcraft AT-6 light attack turbo prop, T-6 training platform, KingAir 350ER—with the Cessna Grand Caravan EX joining the lineup at Farnborough.
Media invited to July 15th press briefing
Media attending Farnborough International Airshow are welcome to attend a special briefing on Tuesday, July 15th, 11:00 to 11:45AM in the Hendon Room. The event will feature remarks by Textron CEO Scott Donnelly and Textron AirLand president Bill Anderson, along with a discussion of Scorpion’s primary intended missions and its value as a highly affordable, multi-mission ISR/strike aircraft. The newest air-to-air video of Scorpion will be shown, including highlights of the transatlantic flight.
For a closer look at the Scorpion and its multi-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.
