Flying Scorpions

[Skybird]

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-28260781

Interesting, and cost-efficient like no other modern combat jet.

Technological superiority has its charms. But being able to show up in higher numbers - or to show up at all where before you could not afford it - has its charms as well.

[Jimbuna]

A potential winner indeed for those looking for a low budget platform that is made up of tried and tested components but not for those already tied into the F-35 web...UK for example.

[Wolferz]

Anyone smell a gotcha!? {F-35}

It smells like victory. All the way to the bank.:D:haha:

[vanjast]

Stick with an upgraded A10 concept.. if you're looking for a ground pounder - this a/c looks to fragile/ill conceived for any specialist role.
It'll look nice in a '3rd world' country, or as a trainer :D

[Oberon]

Looks good as a low budget ground attack aircraft. Wasn't there talk of weaponising Cessnas a few years back for use in areas where an A10 would just be overkill (and overcost)? This looks to be the next best thing.

[Tribesman]

It'll look nice in a '3rd world' country
Maybe Ireland can get Germany to buy some for us, no jets since the Magisters got retired.

[CCIP]

Looks good as a low budget ground attack aircraft. Wasn't there talk of weaponising Cessnas a few years back for use in areas where an A10 would just be overkill (and overcost)? This looks to be the next best thing.

Technically, this is a Cessna - Textron is a conglomerate that includes Cessna and the Scorpion is built mainly by Cessna engineers at a Cessna factory.

[Aktungbby]

@ Oberon: Nothing new here: I recall that Michael Blassie, in America's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier for Viet Nam, until his persistent family tracked him down, was shot down in his inexpensive A-37B Dragonfly, developed from the Cessna T-37 Tweet. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2f/A-37B_Dragonfly2.jpg 577 were built and may still be used by South American Nations.

[Wolferz]

Technically, this is a Cessna - Textron is a conglomerate that includes Cessna and the Scorpion is built mainly by Cessna engineers at a Cessna factory.

So, it's the aircraft for your average civil aviation/prepper enthusiast?:D