SANTIAGO, Chile (March 29, 2016) – Textron AirLand, LLC, a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, today announced the Scorpion Jet is making its show debut this week at the FIDAE International Air and Space Fair.
“Textron AirLand’s Scorpion is a bold new direction for tactical aircraft and its debut at FIDAE gives us the opportunity to showcase the Scorpion’s flexible multi-mission capabilities to a diverse set of international militaries,” said Bill Anderson, president, Textron AirLand. “The Scorpion is a tactical aircraft that delivers high-end capabilities and performance at a price that completely reverses the rising cost curve that challenges even the most affluent nations to build and sustain their air forces.”
In two years of flight operations, the Scorpion has self-deployed to ten countries, participated in military training exercises and operations, flown numerous U.S. and international military pilots and amassed nearly 600 flight hours. The Scorpion has accomplished all of this with an exceptional availability rating of over 98 percent and a comprehensive cost per flight hour below $3,000, including consumables, system/engine reserves and labor. Using commercial practices, leading edge design technologies and world-class workforce and facilities of Textron Aviation, the Scorpion progressed from a clean-sheet design to first flight in less than 24 months, making it one of the fastest developments of a U.S.-built tactical jet. The first production aircraft is expected to make its first flight this summer, and will be available for prospective customer flights and evaluations soon after.
The Scorpion’s modular architecture provides the capability to rapidly reconfigure mission payloads, including sensors and weapons, enabling one aircraft to master diverse missions yielding significant acquisition cost savings, operation flexibility, reduced logistics footprint and training benefits. The Scorpion excels in many roles including armed reconnaissance, maritime control, close air support, intermediate and advanced jet training, strike, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
About Textron AirLand Scorpion
The Textron AirLand Scorpion was introduced in 2013 and has completed several hundred hours of flight testing with an exceptionally high mission availability score. Scorpion is a highly affordable, multi-mission aircraft offering diverse capabilities including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, advanced training and precision strike. Aircraft features include twin-engine power, tandem cockpit, large internal payload capacity, high-definition ISR cameras, wing-mounted weapons stations, modern avionics, all-composite structure and more.
About Textron AirLand, LLC
Textron AirLand has developed, in the Scorpion, a highly affordable and exportable twin-engine ISR/Strike/Trainer jet for the tactical military aviation market. A versatile jet platform based on commercial best practices and proven high technologies, Scorpion is designed as a multi-mission aircraft for diverse battlefield, security and training missions. More information about our initial aircraft is available at www.ScorpionJet.com.
About Textron Inc.
Textron Inc. 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, Textron Systems, and TRU Simulation + Training. For more information visit: www.textron.com.
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; changes in government regulations or policies on the export and import of commercial products; volatility in the global economy or changes in worldwide political conditions that adversely impact demand for our products; volatility in interest rates or foreign exchange rates; risks related to our international business, including relying on joint venture partners, subcontractors, suppliers, representatives, consultants and other business partners in connection with international business, including in emerging market countries.
Media Contact:
Nikki Riemen
+1.316.517.6771
nriemen@txtav.com
txtav.com