Fresh from its first trans-Atlantic Flight and European debut,
Scorpion moves on to Vigilant Guard Exercise; NGAUS General Conference &
Exhibition; The Scorpion Washington, D.C. Fly-In; and the
Air Force Association Air & Space Conference.
WICHITA, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Textron AirLand, LLC, a joint venture between Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT)
and AirLand Enterprises, LLC, today announced that its Scorpion aircraft
will participate in a number of promotional and demonstration events
attended by branches of the U.S. and international militaries.
Scorpion's role in Vigilant Guard will be to provide aerial reconnaissance, transmission of full motion video and communications regarding mock threat scenarios. (Photo: Business Wire)
Vigilant Guard 2014
From August 4-7, Scorpion will take part in Vigilant
Guard 2014, a large-scale, multi-state disaster response exercise
conducted in Kansas, sponsored by U.S. Northern Command and the National
Guard Bureau. The training exercise tests the capabilities of emergency
response agencies at all levels of government, both military and civil.
More than 2,000 local, state, and federal personnel are expected to
participate over the course of the six-day exercise at locations
throughout Kansas, including Fort Riley, Overland Park, Salina, Crisis
City and Smoky Hill Weapons Range near Salina, Topeka, and Wichita.
Scorpion’s role in Vigilant Guard will be to provide aerial
reconnaissance, transmission of full motion video and communications
regarding mock threat scenarios, in tight coordination with other
aircraft and ground stations.
NGAUS General Conference & Exhibition
Soon after Vigilant Guard, Scorpion will be promoted in the Textron
AirLand exhibit at the National
Guard Association of the U.S. (NGAUS) 136th General
Conference & Exhibition, from August 22-25 in Chicago. This is
the National Guard’s largest annual event, featuring displays of the
latest military technology and presentations by leaders such as Gen.
Mark A. Welsh, Jr.
, the Air Force chief of staff; Rep.
William Enyart
, D
– Ill., a former Illinois adjutant general; Gen.
Darren W. McDew
, the
commander of Air Mobility Command; and Lt. Gen.
Michael S. Tucker
, the
commander of First U.S. Army.
Air Force Association Air & Space Conference
The Scorpion will fly into Washington, D.C., to coincide with the AFA
Air & Space Conference. This the largest annual gathering of Air
Force leaders, featuring more than 45 forums and a Technology Exposition
spanning 100,000 square feet of space to showcase the latest technology
within the air defense industry. A model of Scorpion will be on exhibit
from September 15-17, and invited guests will be able to see the actual
Scorpion during a special event hosted at a facility close to the
conference.
Progress Update
“We saw strong interest in Scorpion during The Royal International Air
Tattoo and Farnborough International Air Show,” said
Bill Anderson
,
president of Textron AirLand. “While in the U.K., we briefed numerous
international militaries on Scorpion’s multi-mission capabilities, as
air forces see a growing need to execute sustained ISR (intelligence,
surveillance and reconnaissance) in an affordable way. We see Vigilant
Guard and other upcoming events as opportunities to prove how Scorpion
delivers high capability at a relatively low cost.”
Scorpion’s first trans-Atlantic roundtrip flight was completed on July
23, one day ahead of schedule. The flight from Wichita, Kansas to the
U.K. air shows and back, covered over 9,200 nautical miles in total of
38 hours flight time. Since its first flight in December 2013, the
aircraft has been engaged in a rigorous flight testing program, with 155
flight hours logged thus far. The team is currently on pace to reach its
goal of 300 flight test hours in 2014. Future plans for Scorpion include
live weapons testing, subject to obtaining required government
approvals. For a closer look at the Scorpion and its multi-mission
capabilities, please visit www.ScorpionJet.com.
Downloadable images and videos of recent test flights are available in
the Scorpion
Media Gallery.
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; changes in foreign military funding priorities or budget
constraints and determinations; changes in government regulations or
policies on the export and import of military products; 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; and continued demand softness or volatility
in the markets in which we do business.
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/multimedia/home/20140805005722/en/
Source: Textron Inc.