Maiden Flight of Scorpion ISR/Strike Aircraft

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Textron Airland Scorpion Isr
Maiden Flight of Scorpion ISR/Strike Aircraft - © Indian Defence Review
Textron AirLand’s Scorpion ISR Strike aircraft on runway at McConnell Air Force Base

Early December 2013, the Scorpion Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR)/Strike Aircraft, a product of a joint venture between Textron Inc. and AirLand Enterprises LLC, successfully undertook its maiden flight. As per the company, this marked one of the fastest developments of a US-built tactical jet taking under two years from initial design to first flight.

As per the test pilot, the Scorpion compares favourably with other more expensive aircraft currently employed for low-threat missions. Powered by two turbofan engines generating 8,000 lbs of thrust, the Scorpion transitions easily between low and high-subsonic speed as needed for diverse missions such as irregular warfare, border patrol, maritime surveillance, emergency relief, counter-narcotics and air defence operations. The Scorpion programme was first announced in September 2013 as a demonstration aircraft designed to accommodate limitations of budget and emerging operational requirements of the US Department of Defense as well as partner nations.

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