Textron is working towards a planned 2027 entry into service for Gen3.
Textron Aviation celebrated back-to-back milestones this week, rolling out its 500th Cessna Citation CJ4 series aircraft and completing the first flight of the Citation M2 Gen3 prototype.
The 500th CJ4, a Gen2 model, was delivered on June 1 at the company’s Wichita facility.
Since the model’s introduction in 2010, the CJ4 series has become one of the market’s leading single-pilot business jets, serving owner-operators and fleet customers across commercial and special mission profiles.
“For more than a decade, customers around the world have chosen the CJ4 for its combination of performance, ease of operation and confidence in the cockpit,” said Lannie O’Bannion, senior vice president of Sales & Marketing. “Reaching 500 aircraft built demonstrates the strength of this platform and reinforces our continued investment in the light jet market as we prepare to bring the CJ4 Gen3 to customers.”
Brad White, senior vice president of Manufacturing, credited the production workforce. “Their dedication to building the future of flight is what makes achievements like this 500th CJ4 possible and what continues to earn the trust of our customers,” he said.
In addition, Textron said the Citation M2 Gen3 prototype completed its first flight, a 2.7-hour sortie piloted by Andrew Thorson and flight test engineer Tanner Towns. The aircraft reached 41,000ft and 263 knots, with Towns describing the outing as smooth and uneventful. “This flight confirms the strong foundation we’ve built as we move into the next phase of testing,” he said.
The M2 Gen3 will now enter an expanded flight test programme as Textron works toward FAA certification and a planned 2027 entry into service. Like the CJ4 Gen3, which also awaits FAA certification this year, the M2 Gen3 is equipped with Garmin G3000 avionics and Garmin Emergency Autoland.
“This milestone reflects the dedication and expertise of our team and highlights our commitment to designing, certifying and delivering the best aircraft for our customers,” said Chris Hearne, senior vice president of Engineering & Programs.
