Textron recently participated in U.S. Air Force student joint evaluations of its Beechcraft AT-6 light attack single turboprop and Textron AirLand Scorpion ISR/strike jet. The company has both models here at the Paris Air Show as part of a full display of its special-mission and utility aircraft.
The display marks the first appearance at the Paris Air Show of the now year-old Textron Aviation, formed out of the merger of Beechcraft and Cessna. But it is not the first appearance at a major international airshow for the company’s newly combined defense business. That occurred last year at the Farnborough International Airshow, just months after Textron completed its acquisition of Beechcraft.
The company since has been integrating the operations of what had been cross-town rivals. David Rosenberg, vice president of integration and strategy, said one of the first tasks was to assess and build on the strengths of Beechcraft turboprop and Cessna Citation jet families. This included leveraging the Beechcraft’s well-established defense and special-mission business to expand Cessna’s reach into those markets, Rosenberg said.
Textron hopes to continue that effort as it looks to secure launch customers for both the Scorpion and the AT-6. Based on the T-6 trainer, the attack version was developed with an eye on the U.S. Air Force Light Air Support competition, only to lose out to the Sierra Nevada/Embraer team that offered the Super Tucano. The Scorpion was developed without a specific competition, but designed to fill what Textron believes is a need for a lower-cost, commercially developed platform for battlefield and/or homeland security missions.
The company was able to showcase both during trials conducted at Textron Aviation’s Wichita, Kan., facility for U.S. Air Force Text Pilot School students. The evaluations involved both classroom and cockpit ground training, along with preparatory and evaluation flights. The trials involved 19 flights (12 involving the Scorpion, seven on the AT-6) over a four-day period.
“The demonstrations not only allowed us to showcase the capabilities of the aircraft, but it also allowed us to gather feedback, which has already proven beneficial as we continue to prepare these aircraft for entry into the market.” said Russ Bartlett, president, Beechcraft Defense Company.
Before coming to Paris, the Scorpion headed to South America for demo flights requested by a foreign air force and also participated in static display events in Florida. As for the AT-6, a spokeswoman noted the company is “actively engaged in multiple international pursuits” for a launch customer.
Aside from the AT-6, Textron Aviation also is showcasing other special-mission and utility aircraft, including the Beechcraft King Air 350ER twin-turboprop and Beechcraft Baron G58ISR piston model.
Beechcraft unveiled the extended-range variant of the 350 at the Paris Air Show a decade ago and since has sold the model for numerous missions, ranging from traditional passenger and cargo transport to surveillance, air ambulance, airway calibration, photographic mapping and training. The aircraft has more than 12 hours of endurance for a 2,500-nautical -mile range.
The company began testing the market in 2012 for an ISR variant of its venerable Baron piston twin. At the 2013 Paris Air Show, it would formally offer the aircraft, which is equipped with a package includes a FLIR 230-HD electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) camera system, an operator’s console housing a mapping/mission management computer, a recorder and a multi-band communications radio system and data link for special-mission operators.
Joining the traditional propeller-driven Beechcraft models on display is Cessna’s Grand Caravan EX turboprop utility aircraft. The big fixed-gear single received a new Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-140 engine in 2012, boosting power output to 867 shaft horsepower. Most recently, Cessna obtained approval from the European Aviation Safety Agency for a 14-place variant of the Grand Caravan.