Textron Airland’s Scorpion jet successfully completed its first flight Dec. 12, less than 24 months since company officials began initial design.
The hybrid ISR/strike platform took off from McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, KS. The flight was originally scheduled for Tuesday the 10th, but the weather conditions that plagued much of the country last week forced a delay.
Although primarily an ISR craft, Textron officials view the Scorpion a multimission platform. Textron claims the plane can be flown for $3,000 an hour, significantly less than top-line fighters such as the F-16, while providing more capability than turboprops such as the AT-6.
For more on the Scorpion, click here. Then come below the jump for video of the first flight.
Aaron Mehta
Air Warfare Correspondent at Defense News
Aaron covers the Air Force for Defense News. In his spare time, he tweets about the Air Force for Defense News. Follow him @AaronMehta
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