The Scorpion intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR)-strike aircraft from Textron AirLand, a joint venture between Textron and AirLand Enterprises, 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 U.S. Navy pilot.
Most of the test flights will be conducted at McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, Kans., and the team is planning numerous flights outside of the area.
For the complete story by Courtney Howard of Avionics Intelligence, click here.
