Pipistrel signed a contract with the Indian Defence Ministry worth 194 firm orders plus 100 options for the Pipistrel Virus.
The plane is a slightly modified version of the original, with kevlar reinforcements for the cockpit, energy-absorbing seats and digital avionics. The powerplant will be a Rotax 80.
What would they intend to use them for?
Training seems little likely, these motor gliders have flying characteristics quite different from any subsequent aircraft. Anybody beginning training on these would have to unlearn several acquired habits on more performant planes.
Patrol? Perhaps yes, they can fly both slow and fast and are quite agile in manoeuvres. And nothing could beat them for low cost of operation.
Combat/counter-insurgency? Unlikely, insufficient payload I think, but I am not a weapons expert.
It’s the Virus SW, which isn’t a motorglider.
The VIRUS is a rather unfortunate name in English
I would say it depends on where you live and what you get up to
The company name sounds absolutely awful in German…
… and worse in French ;)
One must agree, though, that each and every of their designs has been impressive – with a possibility of doubt on their recent 4-seater.
Wasn’t it VW that had to rename their model “Nova” in the Spanish speaking countries, because it means “doesn’t work”? But probably Pipistrel never thought about other languages at the time they chose their name.
PS: it seems to be an urban legend, but a nice one IMHO: http://www.duetsblog.com/2012/07/articles/branding/that-story-about-the-chevy-nova-its-a-no-go/