Reuters, Washington :
The U.S. Air Force is looking at Textron Inc’s Scorpion and other aircraft to address future needs for low-end air support missions given its plans to retire the aging fleet of A-10 Warthog planes in coming years, a top general said Friday.
Later versions of Lockheed Martin Corp’s F-35 fighter jet would be the primary warplane used for close air support in future conflicts with higher-end adversaries, General Herbert Carlisle, who heads Air Combat Command, told reporters. But growing threats in the Middle East and other areas – coupled with huge budget pressures – were forcing military officials to also look at a low-cost successor for the A-10 for less challenging or more “permissive” environments, he said.
He said no decisions had been made on a possible acquisition program, but the Air Force had looked at the Scorpion plane developed by Textron using its own funds and others to address lower-end threats instead of using stealthy and costly F-35s.
“That’s not something that’s outside the realm,” Carlisle said when asked about the Scorpion aircraft. “We’ve done some research. We’re just keeping our opportunities open.”
Carlisle spoke to reporters after a weeklong “summit” involving the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Special Operations Commands and other Pentagon officials as they reviewed current close air support missions and future needs.
The U.S. Air Force is looking at Textron Inc’s Scorpion and other aircraft to address future needs for low-end air support missions given its plans to retire the aging fleet of A-10 Warthog planes in coming years, a top general said Friday.
Later versions of Lockheed Martin Corp’s F-35 fighter jet would be the primary warplane used for close air support in future conflicts with higher-end adversaries, General Herbert Carlisle, who heads Air Combat Command, told reporters. But growing threats in the Middle East and other areas – coupled with huge budget pressures – were forcing military officials to also look at a low-cost successor for the A-10 for less challenging or more “permissive” environments, he said.
He said no decisions had been made on a possible acquisition program, but the Air Force had looked at the Scorpion plane developed by Textron using its own funds and others to address lower-end threats instead of using stealthy and costly F-35s.
“That’s not something that’s outside the realm,” Carlisle said when asked about the Scorpion aircraft. “We’ve done some research. We’re just keeping our opportunities open.”
Carlisle spoke to reporters after a weeklong “summit” involving the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Special Operations Commands and other Pentagon officials as they reviewed current close air support missions and future needs.
