Textron, the parent company of Cessna, is moving fast on the development of its sexy straight-wing military twinjet, the Scorpion, which surprised the world with its emergence earlier this year. As evidenced by the following video, Scorpion test pilots have completed the first taxi tests and are getting close to taking the airplane to the skies. The last high speed taxi tests were completed today at the McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, Kansas, according to Dale Tutt, chief engineer of the Scorpion program.
Video: Scorpion Jet Gets Ready for First Flight
Key Takeaways:
- Textron AirLand is rapidly developing the Scorpion military twinjet, which has completed high-speed taxi tests and is nearing its first flight.
- The Scorpion is designed as an affordable and versatile tactical jet for various missions, including border security, counter-narcotics, and humanitarian relief.
- Key features include a substantial useful load (over 9,500 lbs with 6,000 lbs of fuel for a 2,400 nm range), a projected max speed of 450 knots, and an all-composite airframe with an expected 20,000-hour service life.
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