WICHITA, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Textron AirLand, LLC, a joint venture between Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) and AirLand Enterprises, LLC, today announced that the Scorpion Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR)/Strike aircraft completed additional test flights in January and February. The most recent test flight occurred on February 13.
The Scorpion team is planning to conduct several hundred hours of additional flight tests in 2014, 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,” commented 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 US military branches as well as a number of US partner nations. The company is seeking market license and export approvals for additional opportunities, driven by early interest from specific US partner nations.
Textron AirLand is showcasing the Scorpion at major defense industry exhibitions across the globe. In February, Scorpion was featured in a static display at the Singapore Airshow, recognized as Asia’s largest air show, and at DefExpo 2014, India’s largest annual defense conference. At the Air Force Air Warfare Symposium on February 20th, the Scorpion will be discussed as part of an “Adapting for the Future” forum in which Textron CEO Scott Donnelly and other senior aviation executives will serve as the forum’s panelists; and in March, Scorpion will be represented at FIDAE 2014, Chile’s leading defense solutions exposition, attracting military leaders from many Latin American countries.
Video highlights and photos of recent Scorpion test flights can be viewed here in the Media Gallery of ScopionJet.com. Scorpion is also featured in a recent episode of Discovery Channel’s “Daily Planet” program.
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About Textron AirLand, LLC
Textron AirLand, LLC is a joint venture between Textron Inc. and AirLand Enterprises, LLC with the purpose of designing and manufacturing an affordable, capable jet platform based on commercially available technologies and processes for the tactical military jet aviation market. More information about our initial aircraft is available at www.ScorpionJet.com.
About Textron
Textron 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 Aircraft Company, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee and Textron Systems. More information is available at www.textron.com.
About AirLand Enterprises, LLC
AirLand Enterprises, LLC was formed by a group of experienced aerospace and defense executives dedicated to bringing an effective, low-cost, ISR/Strike jet to domestic and international military markets, replacing aging aircraft and complimenting high-end multi-role fighters.
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; changing priorities or reductions in the U.S. Government defense budget, including those related to military operations in foreign countries; changes in foreign military funding priorities or budget constraints and determinations, or changes in government regulations or policies on the export and import of military and commercial products; and volatility in the global economy or changes in worldwide political conditions that adversely impact demand for our products; performance issues with key suppliers or subcontractors.
