CESSNA DEVELOPS LOW-COST FIGHTER JET

19 Sep 2013

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Cessna is testing a new low-cost twin-jet fighter-trainer aircraft called the Scorpion. The announcement, by Cessna's parent company Textron, came out of the blue this week. First flight is expected before the end of this year.

The Scorpion has been developed in secrecy and surprised industry watchers. Textron says the Scorpion is aimed at military forces in the US and partner nations who are seeing major cuts to funding.

Operating costs are said to be around $3000/hr - about 10% of a normal fighter jet. Purchase price has yet to be announced, but is expected to be similarly inexpensive.

Textron boss Scott Donnelly says, “We began development of the Scorpion in January 2012 with the objective to design, build and fly the world’s most affordable tactical jet aircraft capable of performing lower-threat battlefield and homeland security missions.

“We relied on commercial best practices to develop a tactical jet platform with flexibility and capabilities found only in far more costly aircraft.”

The Scorpion is well matched to the US Air National Guard’s missions such as irregular warfare, border patrol, maritime surveillance, emergency relief, counter-narcotics and air defense operations, says Textron.

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