Textron AirLand Scorpion
Textron AirLand · United States · first flew 2013 · fighter
The Textron AirLand Scorpion is an affordable light attack and ISR jet designed for cost-conscious air forces needing a modern combat aircraft. Its twin turbofan engines are embedded in the fuselage sides with inlet openings giving a clean, low-drag profile.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, swept |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turbofan, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Twin engines buried in fuselage sides with flush inlets |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Twin engines buried in fuselage sides with flush inlets
- Mid-mounted swept wings with winglets
- Low-cost light attack jet with tandem seating
Distinguished by its twin-engine fuselage inlets set well aft of the cockpit and wide swept wings with prominent winglets; unusually wide wingspan for a light jet gives it a distinctive silhouette.
Specifications
- The Textron AirLand Scorpion has a length of 13.87 m (46 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 14.58 m (48 ft).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The Scorpion was developed as a privately funded venture by Textron AirLand, first flying in December 2013 at Wichita, Kansas. It was pitched to the US Air Force and export customers as an affordable alternative to fast jets for counter-insurgency and border patrol missions. Despite extensive demonstration tours no production orders were placed.
Variants
Only a single prototype demonstrator was built; no production variants reached service.
Where you'll see it
Never entered service; the aircraft remained a demonstrator marketed primarily to US and allied air forces.
Related aircraft
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