U.S. Army to Reduce Black Hawk Fleet by 8% in Preparation for Future Assault Aircraft

The U.S. Army is set to reduce its UH-60 Black Hawk fleet by about 8%, cutting approximately 157 helicopters from its active-duty component. This reduction is part of the preparation for introducing the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) in the early 2030s as a replacement.

Last year, Textron-Bell’s V-280 Valor tiltrotor aircraft was chosen to replace the 40-year-old Sikorsky-made UH-60. The Army plans to replace the Boeing-made AH-64 Apache attack helicopter with the Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft and is currently evaluating competitive demonstrator aircraft from two companies.

McCurry emphasized the importance of balancing current readiness with future procurement and fielding. The Black Hawk fleet grew to over 300 aircraft from the early 2000s to support higher end strength during deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. With a smaller force today, the Army no longer requires the entire fleet, reducing it from 2,135 to 1,978 aircraft.

The removal of the oldest Alpha and Lima models from the active component aims to reduce the fleet's age, lower long-term maintenance needs, and address critical parts challenges. The Army plans to sell these Black Hawks through Foreign Military Sales transactions or exchange and sales programs, each estimated at around $2 million per aircraft.

The timeline for removing these helicopters from the fleet is yet to be determined, pending fleet health assessments by Program Executive Office Aviation and Army Aviation and Missile Command. Additionally, the Army intends to upgrade its Mike-model Black Hawks and provide Victor models, identical to the Mike model, to the Army National Guard.

However, efforts to equip Black Hawks with new engines through the Improved Turbine Engine Program have been delayed due to technical and supply chain issues. The Army also plans to assess the size of the Boeing-manufactured CH-47 Chinook cargo fleet to align with the service’s force structure and end strength.

While the CH-47 Chinook fleet is under review, the AH-64 Apache attack helicopters will not undergo a similar examination at this time due to existing shortages resulting from recent losses.

US Air Force to Procure New Light Attack Aircraft

The Air Force has decided to buy a new light attack aircraft to support troops engaged in counterinsurgency operations, the service announced in a presolicitation dated Aug. 3.
A formal solicitation is expected to be released in December, and a production contract will be awarded in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2019, the document said.
The Air Force plans to request proposals from a limited number of companies including Textron and Sierra Nevada Corp., the service said in the notice that was released on FedBizOpps.
"Sierra Nevada Corp. and Textron Aviation are the only firms that appear to possess the capability necessary to meet the requirement within the Air Force's timeframe without causing an unacceptable delay in meeting the needs of the warfighter," the presolicitation said.
The chosen platform "will provide an affordable, non-developmental aircraft intended to operate globally in the types of irregular warfare environments that have characterized combat operations over the past 25 years," it added.
The move follows a U.S. military experiment known as OA-X, which kicked off last year to study the feasibility of using an off-the-shelf platform as a low-cost solution for light attack and close-air support missions. Originally, the experiment involved four aircraft including a Sierra Nevada Corp.-Embraer team’s A-29 Super Tucano; Textron Aviation’s Scorpion jet and AT-6 Wolverine turboprop; and Air Tractor Inc.’s AT-802L Longsword turboprop supported by L3’s Platform Integration Division.
Earlier this year, Textron and Sierra Nevada Corp.-Embraer had been testing their turboprop aircraft — the AT-6 and the A-29, respectively — during the second phase of the experiment. However, that phase was cut short after a Super Tucano participating in the effort crashed near Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, in late June. One pilot, Navy Lt. Christopher Carey Short, was killed, and another suffered minor injuries.
nationaldefensemagazine

USAF may soon start combat-testing new aircraft that could fight alongside the A-10

The Air Force is preparing to launch Combat Dragon III, a combat demonstration meant to test light-attack aircraft in the field, according to Aviation Week.
Air Force leaders have not yet reached a final determination about the exercise, but officials have forged ahead.
"We are preparing as if we're going," Air Force Reserve Col. Mike Pietrucha, who is light-attack adviser to Air Combat Command, told Aviation Week.
The service has selected a squadron commander and settled on a detachment of 70 people, Pietrucha said.
Those personnel will be drawn from operational squadrons, and staff and will be required to have at least 1,000 flight hours and combat experience, among other qualifications.
At the beginning of this year, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein said the service was looking for an inexpensive fighter that could perform close-air-support missions over the battlefield.
The aircraft in question was reportedly envisioned as a cheap plane available commercially and which could handle combat missions — including close air support, basic surface attacks, and rescue escorts — against insurgents and even near-peer adversaries.
In August, the Air Force conducted the Light Attack Experiment, or OA-X, at Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico. The service said OA-X was part its efforts to "explore cost-effective attack platform options" and featured Textron's Scorpion and AT-6 Wolverine, the Super Tucano A-29 made by Embraer and Sierra Nevada, and Air Tractor's AT-802L Longsword.
businessinsider

USAF student test pilots trial Textron’s Scorpion and AT-6, Before Fligth to Undisclosed South American Country

USAF student test pilots recently trialed Textron Scorpion jet and the Beechcraft AT-6 light attack turboprop, conducting 12 flights in the Scorpion and seven with the AT-6.
After each flight, Scorpion rapidly returned to the air, with an average aircraft turn time of 31 minutes, and a best turn time of 20 minutes. The AT-6 also turned in an excellent performance, with 100-percent aircraft availability and 100-percent mission accomplishment.
After the student’s visit, the Scorpion flew from Wichita to South America to demonstrate its capabilities to an undisclosed air force in that region.
The Scorpion will make its debut at the Paris Air Show next month. The aircraft will then go on a European tour, which includes a visit to the United Kingdom.
flightglobal

US offers Scorpion to India

US defence secretary two-day visit to India in early June is expected to raise the levels of bilateral strategic and defence co-operation between India and the USA.
The US is expected to offer the Textron AirLand Scorpion light-attack and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft currently being developed to the Indian Air Force (IAF).
Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha of India Air Force who is believed to have expressed interest in the Scorpion, believes the twin-seat platform can double as an intermediate jet trainer (IJT). The IAF badly needs an IJT due to delays to the Sitara (Star) platform, which Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has been developing since 2005.
janes

US Clear AH-1Z Sale To Pakistan

US State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Pakistan for 15 AH-1Z Viper Attack Helicopters and AGM-114R Hellfire II Missiles and associated equipment.
This proposed sale will provide Pakistan with a precision strike, enhanced survivability aircraft that it can operate at high-altitudes. By acquiring this capability, Pakistan will enhance its ability to conduct operations in North Waziristan Agency (NWA), the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), and other remote and mountainous areas in all-weather, day-and-night environments. Pakistan will have no difficulty absorbing these helicopters into its armed forces.
The principal contractors will be Bell Helicopter, Textron, General Electric, Boeing and Lockheed Martin in Bethesda. There are no known offset agreements proposed.
dsca

Nigerian Air Force Interested in Textron’s Scorpion Combat Jets

The Nigerian air force is concerned that efforts to acquire new combat aircraft from Textron to battle Boko Haram militants will be blocked over concerns about the country’s human rights record.
The air force currently relies on a fleet of older jets, including Chinese-made F-7 planes and European Alpha Jets.
Textron has been marketing the Scorpion military jet as a low-cost option for many nations that can’t afford more traditional and expensive designs.
The country would initially look to acquire 12 jets to form one squadron. A formal request to buy the plane has not been made, though that could happen soon. The company have said first deliveries could occur 18 months after they receive an order.
blogs.wsj.com

UAE Negotiating Possible Scorpion Purchase

The United Arab Emirates is in discussions with Textron AirLand about becoming an early customer for Textron’s new Scorpion jet.
The talks are proceeding, including discussions between top Emirati officials and Textron’s CEO.
The Scorpion is designed to be an ISR plane with strike capabilities.
UAE is eyeing the Scorpion for its aerobatic squadron Al Fursan, which flies the Alenia Aermacchi MB-339.
A source said a purchase for Al Fursan would be a first step in a larger relationship.
The UAE selected Alenia Aermacchi’s M-346 trainer in 2009, with an eye toward buying 48 aircraft, preferring it to the Korean T-50. But the deal then reportedly was entangled in a side deal to sell UAVs to the UAE, which was halted by technology transfer rules. Neither side has made an announcement since on the fate of the deal.
An Alenia source said that since the UAE’s selection of the M-346, nothing has changed.
In August, the Scorpion team told Defense News it is developing a trainer-specific variant of the jet. That design would keep the twin-engine, twin-tail design of the basic Scorpion while shortening the wings from 47 feet to make them more aerodynamic, as well as increasing the thrust in the engine.
The industry source said Textron has had discussions, albeit preliminary, with Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines, Indonesia, Bahrain, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, with Malaysia and Brunei the most likely to bear fruit.
defensenews

Textron Developing Scorpion Trainer Variant

Textron plans to enter a modified version of its Scorpion aircraft into the US Air Force’s T-X trainer replacement competition.
The company is also eyeing the international training market as an area of growth for its jet, which is still working on signing its first customer.
Textron executives have largely danced around the question of whether the Scorpion would enter the T-X competition, hinting it was under consideration but not giving confirmation.
Scorpion is designed to be an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance plane (ISR) with strike capabilities. Since the plane’s unveiling in September, Textron have highlighted the modular nature of the jet, that would come into play with a trainer variant.

Because of the modularity of that platform we Textron is able to change certain air performance characteristics relatively easily and be able to compete for the higher air performance requirements of the T-X program using the same basic platform with small modifications.
The major change would involve shortening the wings from 47 feet to something smaller and more aerodynamic, as well as increasing the thrust in the engine.
The Air Force plans to issue a request for proposals in the third quarter of fiscal 2016 for the T-X program. Before that request comes out, Textron intends to have a model of its trainer variant up and flying to prove that it can meet Air Force requirements.
The winner of the T-X competition will replace the service’s T-38 trainers with 350 new aircraft.
Three existing trainers are being offered for the T-X in the Hawk Advanced Jet Training System, a joint program of BAE Systems, Northrop Grumman, L-3 Link Simulation & Training and Rolls-Royce; Lockheed Martin’s offering of the Korean Aerospace Industries T-50; and the T-100, a collaboration between General Dynamics and Italy’s Alenia Aermacchi.
Boeing and Saab have announced plans to create a “clean-sheet” design as well. Although details are scant, the companies claim it will not be based on Saab’s Gripen fighter.
defensenews

Textron AirLand Scorpion takes part in National Guard training exercise

The Textron AirLand Scorpion doesn’t yet have a buyer, but that hasn’t stopped the plane from taking part in a major National Guard training exercise this week.
Billed as an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) plane with strike capabilities, the jet provided live video feed during Vigilant Guard 2014, which brought several Guard units to Kansas to run through various emergency scenarios.
This is the first time a non-Guard plane takes part in a major exercise National Guard exercise.
Kansas is the Scorpion team’s home state.
defensenews

Textron AirLand Targets National Guard for Potential Sales

Textron to search for a customer for its Scorpion light attack airplane, but it will have the chance to prove the aircraft’s capabilities to the Air National Guard in August.
Guardsmen will not operate the Scorpion, which will be flown by a Textron test pilot during the demonstration. However, the Guard will have access to intelligence and reconnaissance data provided by the aircraft during the mock search-and-rescue operation at the Smoky Hill Air National Guard Range near Salina, Kansas.
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh has said it is unlikely that the service could afford new aircraft beyond its three priorities: the F-35 joint strike fighter, KC-135 tanker and a new long-range bomber. However, Textron AirLand is continuing to brief Welsh on the Scorpion, and executives believe the possibility still remains for procurement by the National Guard.
The company is also targeting international customers. The aircraft in July flew 4,700 nautical miles from Wichita, Kansas, to Gloucestershire, England, for the Royal International Air Tattoo and Farnborough International Air Show.
Textron could start initial deliveries 30 months after receiving its first order.
nationaldefensemagazine

Eyeing First Customer, Scorpion Comes to UK

Roughly 10 months ago, Textron unveiled its Scorpion to US audiences. Now, it is showing it off to the international market.
The jet will be displayed at the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) and the Farnborough International Airshow.
While it won’t fly during the shows, company officials plan to put the plane on static display — and hope to generate interest from international customers.
The Scorpion test model has flown about 80 hours over the past six months, but Farnborough represents the first public appearance of the plane.
The Scorpion is equipped with twin turbofan engines and a tandem cockpit, although the jet is designed to be flown by a single pilot. There are six hard points that could hold a variety of equipment, as well as a large internal compartment.
That space gives the Scorpion great flexibility, particularly with intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) packages, which are desired by countries in Southeast Asia and Latin America. The projected price point will be under $20 million a copy.
defensenews

Scorpion jet pitched for Swiss air force

Textron is bidding to sell its Scorpion jets to the Swiss government at one-seventh the cost of Swedish Gripen fighter planes turned down by voters in Switzerland this month.
Acording Textron president “The Scorpion is ideally suited to Switzerland’s circumstances”, It is cheaper than the Gripen and still meets 90 percent of the tasks at hand”.
Swiss voters on May 18th shot down a deal approved by the government to buy 22 Gripen fighter jets from Saab.
The planes were to replace the Swiss air force’s fleet of 54 F-5.
Scorpion, is not a supersonic fighter and is not intended to be and is designed to be an affordable option for air forces to provide air space surveillance and intelligence.
The Swiss department of defence is not commenting on the Scorpion proposal.
thelocal.ch

Scorpion Eyed For RIAT, Farnborough Debut

Textron is hoping to send its Scorpion prototype light attack, reconnaissance aircraft to an international coming-out at the U.K.’s Royal International Air Tattoo and Farnborough Air Show in July.
Industry sources say thus far the company has been able to work through the FAA’s requirements to do so.
Scorpion, a light attack/reconnaissance aircraft, was conceived by Textron in an attempt to fill a gap between armed turboprop trainers and jet-powered, high-performance fighters. Company officials are targeting a $3,000/hr. operating cost that would be appealing to smaller air forces.
Textron , began building the demonstrator in January 2012; it first flew in December 2013 for 1.4 hr. It has since racked up nearly 60 hr. of flying.
Though company officials are hoping the U.S. Air Force would buy some of the aircraft, its best chances are for sales internationally.
aviationweek

Mexican navy orders two Beechcraft T-6 trainers

Mexico is expanding its fleet of Beechcraft T-6C Texan trainers with a new order for two aircraft by the nation's navy.
The aircraft, designated T-6C+ models, will be delivered this summer.
Beechcraft, is also working on a contract to provide two years of parts support, pilot and mechanic training and field support to the Mexican navy.
The Mexican air force already has six T-6s, and has placed an order for an additional six aircraft.
The announcement comes two months after news broke that New Zealand will buy 11 T-6Cs.
flightglobal

US firm offers VVIP choppers to India

After India scrapped a contract for procuring VVIP choppers from AgustaWestland, American firm Textron said it is ready to offer its unique V-22 Osprey helicopter to India for ferrying its dignitaries.
Indian government scrapped the contract with AgustaWestland, accusing it of breaching a pre-contract integrity pact and other contractual obligations.
India has so far received only three choppers from the Anglo-Italian firm and is considering the option of using Mi-17V5 choppers being procured from Russia for the purpose.
The V-22 Osprey has already been inducted into the American President's fleet in VVIP configuration and is being used to ferry his entourage.
ndtv.com

Cessna’s Scorpion low cost tactical jet makes first flight

Textron has announced that Cessna Aircraft Scorpion Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR)/Strike aircraft has conducted its maiden flight.
The aircraft took off from McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, Kansas and flew for 1.4 hours. It’s expected to be a highly capable aircraft for the ISR and homeland security mission set.”
Announced in September and developed in 24 months, the Scorpion has a cruising speed of up to 450 knots, a ferry range of 2,400 NM (nautical miles) and carries a payload of 3,000 lbs internal stores as well as underwing PGMs (Precision Guided Munitions).
David Cenciotti-theaviationist

Scorpion light strike aircraft completes pre-flight taxi trial

Textron has released video footage showing taxi testing with its Scorpion demonstrator, days before the type's expected first flight.
The Scorpion's first flight is scheduled to occur on 5 December, from the US Air Force's McConnell AFB site in Wichita.

TEXTRON UNVEILS ‘SCORPION’ TACTICAL JET

Textron unveiled a prototype intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance/strike aircraft named “Scorpion” at the Air Force Association Air &Space Conference.
The Scorpion is a clean-sheet, all-composite design with a tandem cockpit, retractable sensor mounts, an internal weapons bay and wing-mounted hard points for external stores. It is powered by twin turbofans producing 8,000 pounds of thrust. Among specifications the companies list are a mtow of 21,250 pounds, maximum speed of 450 ktas and 45,000-foot service ceiling.
scorpionjet