Economy class: shades of World War II fighters.

• Author: Williams, Robert H.
• Position: TECH TALK

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A start-up company in Canton, Ohio, is developing a single engine, turbo prop aircraft that is being touted as a low cost, high endurance alternative to conventional jet aircraft.

U.S. Aircraft Corp. officials say the A-67 Dragon will be used for combat strikes, intelligence gathering, counterinsurgency, border patrol and other missions. Powered by a Pratt & Whitney PT6A-67 power plant that is capable of producing 1,200 horsepower, the side-by-side two seater aircraft can carry 3,000 pounds of sensors and weapons on four external hard-points, a centerline mounting rack or wingtip missile rails, says the company.

Economy, 10-hour flight...