Cessna E530 Scorpion
The Textron AirLand Scorpion was developed privately as a low-cost jet for intelligence, surveillance, and light-strike missions. Unlike most military jets, it was designed around commercial-style manufacturing and a large modular payload bay rather than a traditional fighter requirement. The two-seat aircraft first flew in 2013 and demonstrated sensors, weapons, and border-surveillance roles. Although it attracted interest, no large production order followed, making the prototype fleet exceptionally rare.
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Did you know?
The Scorpion's twin canted tail fins and its flap and aileron mechanisms were borrowed straight from Cessna's Citation business-jet parts bins to cut cost.
Specifications
| Length | 13.3 m (44 ft) |
|---|---|
| Wingspan | 14.4 m (47 ft) |
| Height | 4.3 m (14 ft) |
| Persons on board | 2 |
| Crew | 2 |
| Maximum take-off weight | 10 t |
| Range | 2,400 NM (4,445 km) |
| Maximum speed | 450 kt (833 km/h) |
| Service ceiling | 45,000 ft (13,716 m) |
| Rate of climb | 12,000 ft/min (61 m/s) |
| Fuel capacity | 2,722 l |
| Engines | 2x Honeywell TFE731-40 |
| Units built | 2 |
Curated by CatchFlights from manufacturer documents, ICAO Doc 8643 and reference works; values are left out where no source could confirm them. Sources are listed on our credits page.
In CatchFlights
In CatchFlights the Cessna E530 Scorpion starts as a Legendary catch. The tier is an editorial judgement of how special a sighting of this type is. The more often you catch it, the closer it moves to Common for you. The first catch of a legendary type pays a bonus of its own.
A catch counts for the manufacturer Cessna, the E530 Scorpion family and the model in your collection, and the daily Type Rating quiz asks about the types of each family.
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