WICHITA, Kan., Sep 26, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. TXT -2.21% company, today launched the Citation M2, a new light business jet that fills the gap between the Citation Mustang and the Citation CJ family.
The Citation M2 features Garmin G3000 avionics, engines similar to those found in the Citation CJ series and an all-new cabin design. The aircraft is an aluminum airframe with a T-tail and a straight wing that includes LED lights. A cabin mock-up of the Citation M2 will be on display at Cessna's exhibit in the Las Vegas Convention Center during the 64th NBAA Annual Meeting and Convention Oct. 10-12.
With room for two crew and up to six passengers, the $4.195 million Citation M2 has a maximum cruise speed of 400 knots true airspeed (741 kilometers per hour) and a range of 1,300 nautical miles (2,408 kilometers). The aircraft can operate at airports with runways as short as 3,250 feet (991 meters) and will climb to 41,000 feet (12,497 meters) in 24 minutes.
"Operator feedback and owner insight have indicated a market for a Citation with the size, speed and range of the Citation M2. We expect to see customers new to the Citation family, Mustang owners looking for a logical next step or CJ1+ operators who want a new, more advanced Citation," said Scott Ernest, Cessna president and CEO.
The Citation M2 is powered by a pair of FADEC-controlled Williams International FJ44-1AP-21 turbofan engines, each producing 1,965 pounds of thrust. This new and improved version of Williams' FJ44 engine incorporates improvements gleaned from more than 6 million hours of operation of the 4,000 FJ44 engines in service. The FJ44-1AP-21 produces 10-15 percent more altitude thrust (depending on conditions) and consumes less fuel at long range cruise than the previous version, enabling the M2 to climb quickly and cruise fast and far. The engine also provides significantly higher performance at hot and high conditions and an increase in the time between overhaul (TBO) from 3,500 to 4,000 hours.
The Citation M2's clean cockpit design is anchored by the fully integrated Garmin G3000 avionics suite that seamlessly integrates numerous system components into an easy-to-use flightdeck to simplify operation and enhance situational awareness during flight and when taxiing. The G3000 system centers on three 14.1-inch LCD primary and multifunction displays and two infrared, touch-screen control panels. The touch-screen controllers react to changes in an infrared grid rather than traditional surface resistance sensors for better response under a variety of conditions. The controllers allow multi-function display page navigation as well as audio and FMS control. The MFD and PFD provide split-screen capability so that two separate vertical pages may be viewed side-by-side. Pilots may simultaneously view maps, charts, TAWS, flight planning or weather.
Popular options from other Citation models are standard on the Citation M2. Among the standard features of the avionics system are weather radar, TCAS I, terrain awareness and warning system (TAWS) and ADS-B Out.
From the cockpit divider aft through the rear lavatory, the main passenger cabin of the Citation M2 is 58 inches wide (1.47 meters) and 11 feet (3.3 meters) long with a 5-inch dropped aisle providing a cabin height of 57 inches (1.45 meters). Eight large windows, roomy pedestal seats and intuitive cabin appointments highlight the all-new interior, of which materials and colors can be hand-selected by customers.
Cessna's proprietary cabin management system that includes the latest interface options for greater in-flight productivity and connectivity is optional.
First flight of the new Citation M2 will be in the first half of 2012, with Federal Aviation Administration certification (Part 23) expected in the first half of 2013, followed by deliveries beginning in the second half of 2013.
Cessna is the world's leading general aviation company. Since its inception in 1927, Cessna has designed, produced and delivered more than 192,500 airplanes around the globe. This includes more than 6,100 Citation business jets, making it the largest fleet of business jets in the world. Today, Cessna has two principal lines of business: aircraft sales and aftermarket services. Aircraft sales include Citation business jets, Caravan single-engine utility turboprops, single-engine piston aircraft and lift solutions by CitationAir. Aftermarket services include parts, maintenance, inspection and repair services. In 2010, Cessna delivered 535 aircraft, including 179 Citation business jets, and reported revenues of $2.6 billion. More information about Cessna Aircraft Company is available at cessna.com.
Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft Company, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, and Textron Systems. More information is available at textron.com.
Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements which may project revenues or describe strategies, goals, outlook or other non-historical matters; these statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the following:
-- The efficacy of research and development investments to develop new products or unanticipated expenses in connection with the launching of significant new products;
-- The timing of our new product launches or certifications of our new aircraft products;
-- Our ability to keep pace with our competitors in the introduction of new products and upgrades with features and technologies desired by our customers;
-- Performance issues with key suppliers, subcontractors or business partners
-- Difficult conditions in the financial markets which may adversely impact our customers' ability to fund or finance purchases of our products; and
-- Continued volatility in the economy resulting in a prolonged downturn in the markets in which we do business.
SOURCE: Textron Inc.
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