Textron Scorpion Light Attack/ISR jet
06-11-2020 | 11:46 AM
#1
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Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: FAA 'Flight Check'
Textron Scorpion Light Attack/ISR jet
I had a chance to crawl around in/on one today and talk to the Chief test pilot.
Since I'm not computer savvy enough to post the few poor cell phone pictures I took - I'll link an AOPA video from the Textron Scorpion website that shows the airplane off and there are other videos and other links on the web page about the capabilities of the aircraft.
https://scorpion.txtav.com/en/logbook/s ... B01D2911AE
Since I'm not computer savvy enough to post the few poor cell phone pictures I took - I'll link an AOPA video from the Textron Scorpion website that shows the airplane off and there are other videos and other links on the web page about the capabilities of the aircraft.
https://scorpion.txtav.com/en/logbook/s ... B01D2911AE
06-11-2020 | 02:09 PM
#2
Prime Minister/Moderator
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From: Engines Turn or People Swim
SOCOM finally got tired of the USAF stalling and is doing their own light attack (aka armed overwatch) procurement using OTA.
It might even eventually include a high/low mix, in which case scorpion could be one of the high contenders.
It might even eventually include a high/low mix, in which case scorpion could be one of the high contenders.
06-11-2020 | 02:20 PM
#3
Perennial Reserve
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Anyone on active duty now will quite possibly retire and die before the USAF procurement system actually fields a new weapon system Started today. They have been working the follow-on tanker to the KC-135 since the late 60s and it’s still a fustercluck.
06-13-2020 | 02:35 PM
#4
Gets Weekends Off
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Let's not forget acquiring the B-21, re-engining the B-52 and acquiring the new LRSO missile. All needed IMHO but a lot of taxpayer dollars nonetheless.
06-13-2020 | 09:26 PM
#5
Living the SloBus life
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SOCOM has money until you start talking airplanes, then they are just full of 💩. They have their own acquisitions process, but a long track record of being unable to make significant acquisitions that involve airplanes. It’s one thing to buy better rifles than big Army is willing to buy, its another to plunk down the billions involved in putting bombs on target.
06-14-2020 | 07:13 AM
#6
Prime Minister/Moderator
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From: Engines Turn or People Swim
SOCOM has money until you start talking airplanes, then they are just full of �. They have their own acquisitions process, but a long track record of being unable to make significant acquisitions that involve airplanes. It’s one thing to buy better rifles than big Army is willing to buy, its another to plunk down the billions involved in putting bombs on target.
06-14-2020 | 08:36 AM
#9
Prime Minister/Moderator
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From: Engines Turn or People Swim
And they only still operate it because congress keeps shoving it up their you-know-what. I've literally lost count of how many times the AF has tried to poop-can that thing.
06-14-2020 | 08:38 AM
#10
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From: Engines Turn or People Swim
Meant fixed-wing CAS. USAF is the dog in the manger.
Obviously DoN/USMC has retained our own organic CAS all along, so it's more of an issue for USA and SOCOM. But even so, F-35B's are going to be in much more play for diverse ATO tasking than harriers.
Although in joint ops, it's easy enough for Marines to find themselves in need of CAS which the USAF doesn't want to provide.
Yeah, yeah F-16's and strike eagles can do that... but good luck getting enough of that allocated during a near-peer fight.
For low-intensity, low-cost support, even the A-10 might be a bit much. SOCOM's experiment should be interesting and informative.
Obviously DoN/USMC has retained our own organic CAS all along, so it's more of an issue for USA and SOCOM. But even so, F-35B's are going to be in much more play for diverse ATO tasking than harriers.
Although in joint ops, it's easy enough for Marines to find themselves in need of CAS which the USAF doesn't want to provide.
Yeah, yeah F-16's and strike eagles can do that... but good luck getting enough of that allocated during a near-peer fight.
For low-intensity, low-cost support, even the A-10 might be a bit much. SOCOM's experiment should be interesting and informative.
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