WICHITA, Kan., 20 Feb. 2014. The Scorpion intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR)/strike aircraft from Textron AirLand LLC, a joint venture between Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) and AirLand Enterprises LLC, has completed additional test flights. Several hundred hours of additional flight tests are planned in 2014, with each flight targeting specific objectives pushing the aircraft’s airspeed, altitude, and performance envelope.
“Overall, we’ve had very positive results through the initial test flights. In these early flights, we have evaluated the aircraft performance and tested a wide range of mechanical and electronic systems. The Scorpion is a very agile platform and I’m confident in the airframe as we continue through the test and evaluation phase,” comments Dan Hinson, chief test pilot for the Scorpion team and 23-year veteran Navy pilot.
Most of the test flights will be conducted at McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, and the team is planning numerous flights outside of the area.
Textron AirLand is pursuing sales opportunities with U.S. military branches as well as a number of U.S. partner nations. The company is seeking market license and export approvals for additional opportunities, driven by early interest from specific U.S. partner nations.
