20000ft orbit at 130kt ISR is dead
Light attack is more something budget centered here*. How to perform the mission at low cost ? I think that this is the very aim of such program. It is clear that some aspects the mission are seemingly in opposition and a mix of airframe might then be seen as the right choice. Facts are that, budget wise, you can’t stick 300 planes in this and be budgetary efficient.
What happens if a technology surface and change the name of the game (MANPAD able to engage at higher alt – swarming bots that put advanced basing at constant risk…)? You are left with 300 planes sitting on AMARG far away from the grunts on the ground…
The choices made by Textron fits most of the aspects today. The new increased swept wing even better the plane characteristic in dive and the high G high Alpha mission** has been taken in consideration, perhaps motivated by potential synergies with the T-X program.
It is true that the Scorpion is not in appearance capable to assume the austere basing mission and that some of the SOCOM needs won’t be fulfilled this way. But this is here an aspect of the mission that is counter-intuitive with the low budget aspect of such program. SOF mission does not come cheap and are backed by a fairly descent budget. Per def, even with the present over-utilization of SOF, the economy of scale does not exist. IMOHO, there is room with the austere basing/sof requirement for a more capable airframe such as a derivative from the Army Vertical lift program. You’ll have speed, VTOL, payload, troop insertion etc.. available from such that will fulfill all the 21st needs of a Bronco descendant, itself an helicopter with wings… 😉
In most situation, it is in my opinion that austere basing won’t be relevant and speed, range, altitude and loiter time are now more valuable in a COIN scenario.
@Hopsalot and Spudman: Laser will do great… And leave the plane at a safer alt
*As it has been before
**aquiring a new target
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