Cessna has rolled out the first production unit of the new Citation X at its Wichita, Kansas, manufacturing facility. The midsize, high-speed business jet was launched in 2010 as a major upgrade of the Citation X.

The flagship Citation features include upgraded Rolls-Royce AE3007C2 turbofan engines with new fans, elliptical winglets and the Garmin G5000 integrated avionics suite - replacing the Honeywell Primus 2000/Elite suites on existing Citation Xs.

New Cessna Citation X
 
New Cessna Citation X

Cessna 

The $23 million Citation X has undergone a 38cm (15in) fuselage extension just aft of the cabin door. With seating for up to 12 people, the aircraft is projected to have a maximum altitude of 51,000ft (15,555m), an increase in maximum payload of 97kg (214lb) to 1,140kg, a 20kt (37km/h) boost in maximum cruise speed at 40,000ft to 527kt, a 190nm (352km) increase in range at M.082 to 3,242nm and a top speed of Mach 0.935 - making it the fastest civilian aircraft in the world, says Cessna.

More than 675 flight hours have so far been logged on two test aircraft. Certification is scheduled for later this year, leading to customer deliveries shortly after.

Source: Flight International