Textron's Scorpion jet completes first weapons exercise

Textron AirLand's Scorpion jet has successfully completed its first weapons exercise, the company announced Thursday.

The exercise demonstrated the Scorpion's close air support mission capability via the successful deployment of three widely used weapon systems, the company said in a statement.

Testing took place Oct. 10 through Oct. 14 in coordination with the U.S. Navy and Air Force.

Weapon types used included the Hydra-70 unguided 2.75-inch rockets, the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System and the AGM-114F Hellfire missile.

The weapons were initially guided to their targets using a ground-based laser designator, and later with an airborne laser on the jet.

The first Scorpion prototype is in the midst of its flight test program.

The Scorpion has in two years of flight operations deployed to 10 countries, participated in military training exercises and operations, and can fulfill missions that include intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, close air support, armed reconnaissance and training missions.