Wichita, KS - May 8, 2013 - Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, today announced that the first production unit of the new Citation M2 has reached the significant milestone of wing and fuselage mating. Certification is expected in the second half of 2013.
"The M2 program is progressing well, and we are all looking forward to advancing to the certification process and starting customer deliveries," said Dick Friesen, Cessna value stream manager for the Mustang and M2 in Independence, Kansas. "This is the moment when we can see an aircraft take shape, and we hope it is equally exciting for our customers who want to start flying their M2."
Wing mating is a critical juncture in the production process as it allows the team to start the engine installation phase. Wing mating also prepares the aircraft for the beginning of functional testing of the aircraft systems including avionics, hydraulics and flight controls.
The M2 was developed with input from the already strong Mustang customer base, and the engineering present in this aircraft reflects customers' desires - resulting in a larger and faster jet with a greater range. Equipped with Williams International engines and 1965lbs of thrust, the M2 has a maximum cruising speed of 400ktas. Requiring a mere 3,250 feet for take off and landing, the M2 allows access to some of the world's premier destinations where many other business aircraft are unable to venture.
Unlike any other business jet, the M2 is fitted by Cessna's proprietary Intrinzic ™ Flight Deck powered by Garmin G3000 avionics. The ergonomically designed passenger cabin is fully equipped for seven passengers and boasts a 1,300nm (1496m) flight range. Upon completion the M2 is expected to be certified for a maximum altitude of 41,000 feet. The M2 is one of six new Cessna products to hit the market in 2013. The M2 is joined by the new Citation X and the new Citation Sovereign - aircraft that recently celebrated a production rollout and first production rollout, respectively. On the single engine side, the high-powered Grand Caravan EX entered service in December of 2012, the TTx had its first production flight in March, and the Jet-A fueled Turbo Skylane JT-A is in production line flow.
People may learn more about the Citation M2 at Cessna.com.
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About Cessna
Cessna is the world's leading general aviation company. Since its inception in 1927, Cessna has designed, produced and delivered nearly 200,000 airplanes around the globe. This includes 6,500 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 2012, Cessna delivered 571 aircraft, including 181 Citation business jets, and reported revenues of $3.111 billion. More information about Cessna Aircraft Company is available at cessna.com.
About Textron Inc.
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 changes in worldwide economic or political conditions that impact demand for our products, interest rates or foreign exchange rates; changes in government regulations or policies on the export and import of commercial products; 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
Contact
Andy Woodward
Phone: +1 316 517 1927
Email: awoodward@cesna.com
Stephanie Harder
Phone: +1 316 517 6488
Email: sharder@cessna.com