tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4384856123558926763.post6535088583214346062..comments2023-07-11T09:57:54.828-03:00Comments on BEST FIGHTER FOR CANADA: Textron's Scorpion: Future trend or dead end?Doug Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10504832466775445050noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4384856123558926763.post-47614309272000636582014-07-19T22:53:44.926-03:002014-07-19T22:53:44.926-03:00I found a July 16th Scorpion article in 'Aviat...I found a July 16th Scorpion article in 'Aviation Week' interesting. The plane is <br />being sold on some compelling case scenarios. For example in the Afghanistan <br />theatre month after month gas guzzling expensive fighters were/are flying <br />uneventful missions.."you're chewing up lifetime on high end assets". <br /> <br />On past deployments of CF!88 overseas, Canada has <br />spent a lot on just these kinds of missions. If we were to buy the fancy pants <br />Lockmarts, we could reduce the quantity of them by ordering a few squadrons of <br />the Scorpions-for this kind of duty at least. The Scorpions could identify and <br />locate the threats, then send in the '35s or even better drones where <br />needed.<br /> <br />The concept of having to replace the paint <br />peeling off the '35s and other wear parts, just because they got bagged out <br />flying ho hum missions is just so asinine. I bet the Talibanis are laughing <br />their faces off every time they bushwack an aviation fuel convoy going through <br />Waziristan or Whateverstan.<br /> <br />http://aviationweek.com/farnborough-2014/scorpion-aimed-unique-air-combat-nicheDoug Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10504832466775445050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4384856123558926763.post-80078711091273948372014-07-11T16:14:24.473-03:002014-07-11T16:14:24.473-03:00The Scorpion would be a poor choice for a CF-18 re...The Scorpion would be a poor choice for a CF-18 replacement.<br /><br /><br />It would, however, make a good Tutor and/or Hawk replacement for use as a trainer and for the Snowbirds. It would probably make a decent close-air-support asset as well.Doug Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10504832466775445050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4384856123558926763.post-71557098593343969252014-07-11T13:08:07.051-03:002014-07-11T13:08:07.051-03:00Would the Textron Scorpion have the capabilities C...Would the Textron Scorpion have the capabilities Canada needs? I read an article saying it doesn't have air-to-air radar, air-to-air missiles or a fixed gun.<br />http://www.janes.com/article/38396/textron-to-offer-scorpion-jet-to-swiss-air-force<br /><br />I'd be interesting in seeing how the FA-50 compares against the current fighter possibilities, or if it's even possible for the Scorpion to meets Canada's needs.Doug Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10504832466775445050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4384856123558926763.post-17518162942669363262013-10-02T12:38:08.295-03:002013-10-02T12:38:08.295-03:00Textron made us an interesting surprise indeed. In...Textron made us an interesting surprise indeed. In my opinion, it was difficult to push for low-cost solution during the cold war era. That could be different now. But in the USA point of view, technological pressure is used as a weapon : they used it successfully against soviet union, which was not rich enough to follow them. I cannot say if a U-turn is possible in this regard. The "All stealth" strategy we see today is significant of this strategy.<br /><br />About the Scorpion concept, there are still some doubts. For the three missions, competition exists : for ISR, all major armies are working on UAV capabilities. In addition, some non-dedicated platforms, such as modified light aircrafts with optical sensors are ready and cheaper. For training, armies have already a good choice of advanced trainer aircrafts such as Hawk, T-50 or M-346 (and even Gripen?) not necessarily more expensive. As a light attack aircraft, Textron could need to demonstrate the added value against the Embraer Super Tucano, or other light aircraft, which has very likely inferior speed and range but is probably cheaper...<br /><br />The Close Air Support role, which was the A-10 realm, is another topic. A dedicated aircraft is expensive and the end of a "massive tank assault"-type of war drives new requirements... Will it be a compromise between armed UAV for time-sensitive targets and modern fighter with improved datalinks to escort ground missions?Doug Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10504832466775445050noreply@blogger.com