Prospective Unsung Hero Gets Airborne

[uy707]

Pro : looks very cheap to buy, operate and maintain
Against : probably looks not enough complicated and expensive to suit the Pentagon
Verdict : reason will win and lots will enlist under the Stars and Stripes

Alain

link to article & pictures

http://www.flightglobal.com/Articles/2006/10/18/Navigation/177/210033/Picture+exclusive+A-67+Dragon+counter-insurgency+aircraft+quietly+makes+first.html

A-67 Dragon counter-insurgency aircraft quietly makes first flight
The pictures below show the A-67 Dragon which discreetly made its first flight in Missouri earlier this month.

Restoration specialists Golden Aviation built the aircraft reportedly for US Technology Corporation which is aiming the machine at the counter-insurgency market in the USA and overseas.

The aircraft flew from Cassville, Missouri to Golden's base at Monett Municipal Airport .

It is powered by a single Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 turboprop driving a four-bladed propeller.

The project has emerged at a time when the US military is revisiting its couter-insurgency requirements in the light of its experience in Iraq.

[scramjet]

About time for an aircraft like this although I think the best bet would be to make it into a UAV and allow it to network with other airplanes of the same type so one or two controllers at a ground station could fly multiple planes AND eliminate the threat of crew casualties. A plane like this could get shot down alot.