© Textron Honeywell Aerospace has been selected as the production aircraft engine supplier for the Textron AirLand Scorpion light aircraf...
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| © Textron |
Scorpions is powered by two TFE731 turbofans producing 8,000 lb (3,600 kg) of thrust. The engine features high reliability and reduced operator expenses due to its longer inspection intervals, low parts count and low thrust specific fuel consumption.
The TFE731-40AR-3S engine is the latest evolution of the TFE731 family of engines that entered service in 1972. The engine family has accumulated more than 90 million hours of operation with more than 13,000 engines delivered.
Textron AirLand Scorpion is a American light attack and Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) jet aircraft, designed to undertake irregular warfare, border patrol, maritime surveillance, emergency relief, counter narcotics and defense operations. Scorpion made its first flight in December 2013.
The Scorpion is a tandem-seat aircraft with an all-composite fuselage and is designed to be affordable, costing around US$3,000 per flight hour and a unit cost expected to be below US$20 million.
So far the aircraft has received no orders. Textron aims to market the aircraft to US National Air Guards and international customers.
