Textron AirLand’s Scorpion ISR/Strike Aircraft Reaches 50 Test Flight Hours and Achieves Mach 0.72 Air Speed

Textron AirLand’s Scorpion ISR/Strike Aircraft Reaches 50 Test Flight Hours and Achieves Mach 0.72 Air Speed


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WICHITA, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr 9, 2014--Textron AirLand, LLC, a joint venture between Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) and AirLand Enterprises, LLC, today announced that the Scorpion has completed 50 hours of flight time since the start of flight testing in December 2013. The objective of recent flights has been to gather data about the aircraft’s performance at various speeds, altitudes and climb rates, as well as to assess the responsiveness of Scorpion’s avionics, flight controls and landing system.

Scorpion shows off its low speed handling characteristics during a mock interception of a Cessna 182 flying at 120 KCAS (Photo: Business Wire)

Results of the test program to date:

50 hours total flight time, across 26 separate flights Envelope tested: Flight Level 300 (30,000 ft.), 310 KCAS, 0.72 Mach, +3.7 g-force/-0.5 g-force Maximum airspeed tested: 430 KTAS Single-engine climbs Stall speeds <90 KCAS Single engine shutdown and restart, in-flight Demonstration of low-speed aircraft interception mission The pilots report that the aircraft is nimble and agile with plenty of power, including single engine climbs. Scorpion has very good low speed characteristics. It handles very well in the landing pattern and is stable when in the landing configuration.

“The aircraft systems have performed well within the expected parameters, with very few issues,” said Scorpion’s chief engineer, Dale Tutt. “This is a significant benefit of using mature, non-developmental systems: in addition to reducing the overall development time of the prototype aircraft, the systems have proven to be very reliable.”

Test pilot Dan Hinson added, “The flight control systems are powered by dual hydraulic systems based on the Citation X business jet, and have performed flawlessly. In the event of a loss of both hydraulic systems, the airplane can be flown in manual reversion.”

The Avionics Systems are also non-developmental and performing well. The system is not highly integrated to maintain affordable life cycle costs, so the Scorpion testing team is able to easily make changes to the system without causing problems in other areas. “We routinely make software updates to the avionics system in days, not months,” said Tutt.

The Scorpion testing program remains on pace to complete 300-400 test hours this year, which will require about 150 flights. This is expected to include a number of international flights, pending the standard approvals.

For a closer look at the Scorpion and its mission capabilities, please visit www.ScorpionJet.com. Downloadable images of recent test flights are available in the Scorpion Media Gallery. The newest in-flight video from early April includes highlights of the low-speed intercept mission.

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, Beechcraft, Hawker, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee and Textron Systems. More information is available at www.textron.com.

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 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.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available:http://www.businesswire.com/multimedia/home/20140409005816/en/

CONTACT: Textron

Investor Contact:

Doug Wilburne, 401-457-2288

or

Robert Bridge, 401-457-2288

or

Media Contact:

David Sylvestre, 401-457-2362

KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA KANSAS

INDUSTRY KEYWORD: TECHNOLOGY TRANSPORT AIR SECURITY MANUFACTURING AEROSPACE ENGINEERING DEFENSE CONTRACTS OTHER DEFENSE

SOURCE: Textron

Copyright Business Wire 2014

PUB: 04/09/2014 10:00 AM/DISC: 04/09/2014 10:00 AM

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20140409005816/en

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