Company takes risk on new light strike plane.

• Author: Insinna, Valerie
• Position: TACTICAL AIRCRAFT

* Air Force officials have their hands full trying to keep massive procurements like the joint strike fighter and KC-46 tanker on track in a lean budgetary climate. But the lack of funds hasn't stopped defense contractors from pitching new aircraft.

Textron Inc. and AirLand Enterprises in September debuted their new Scorpion prototype, a tactical jet aircraft that the companies funded without government dollars.

Officials from the Textron-AirLand joint venture are touting the Scorpion as a low-cost, versatile alternative to existing platforms. While the Air Force would still need aircraft such as the F-22 or F-35 in combat, the Scorpion could fly air patrol and conduct intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions at a much lower cost.

The dual-engine jet fighter is suited for a range of missions such as irregular warfare, border patrol, maritime surveillance, emergency relief, counter-narcotics and air-defense operations, which would make it a good fit for the Air National Guard, the company said.

The Scorpion is equipped with an internal payload bay that can store up to 3,000 pounds of sensors, fuel or other gear It has a maximum speed of 450 knots and a flight ceiling of 45,000 feet.

When asked at the 2013 Air Force Association conference whether the service was interested in the aircraft, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh was skeptical that it would be possible to fund such an investment in the...