Textron Aviation Investing in New Products
The Wichita manufacturer expects to spend $200 to $300 million per year on new product development.
While Textron Aviation has been notably quiet about some new models, specifically the Longitude, that is no longer the case with the unveiling here of a full-scale Longitude airframe.

ā€œWe’re performing as we had promised we would,ā€ said Textron Aviation president and CEO Scott Ernest during a briefing before this year’s NBAA show. ā€œOur product base is the largest in the industry, from pistons to jets to military [aircraft], and it doesn’t stop there. We are focused on investing $200- to $300 million a year in this business. We [employ] more than 2,000 engineers. I have to keep them busy, and they want to design new products. It’s up to us to provide those opportunities, and we expect to see a continued investment stream going forward.ā€


In a third-quarter investor call on October 27, Textron chairman and CEO Scott Donnelly characterized the business-jet market in North America as ā€œreasonably strong,ā€ while Europe and Asia, saddled with lagging economies and the strong U.S. dollar, ā€œremain a challenge.ā€ Eighty percent of Textron Aviation’s deliveries during the third quarter went to North American customers, up from a more typical 50 to 60 percent.


Third-quarter revenue at Textron Aviation rose $79 million, to $1.159 billion, from a year ago, thanks to more Cessna Citation shipments, while profits jumped by $45 million, to $107 million. The Textron subsidiary delivered 37 Citations and 29 King Airs during the quarter, compared with 33 Citations and 30 King Airs in the same period last year. Backlog as of September 30 was $1.4 billion, essentially unchanged from late June. Cessna delivered the first four Citation Latitudes in the quarter, ā€œopening a new generation of larger-cabin jets at the company,ā€ Donnelly said.


ā€œOur entire jet portfolio continues to sell well,ā€ Ernest said. ā€œWe’re positive about the jet market. Based on the investments we’re making, we wouldn’t be making them if we didn’t have a positive view of the market. That’s just the reality of it.ā€


Longitude Unwrapped, Hemisphere Introduced


While Textron Aviation has been notably quiet about some new models, specifically the Longitude, that is no longer the case with the unveiling here of a full-scale Longitude airframe. ā€œWe used the last few years to refine what is the next step with regard to some of our longer range products such as the Longitude or even larger aircraft,ā€ he explained. ā€œWe’re going to logically grow into this space, and put new technology and new products into this space.ā€ The other new product is the ultra-large-cabin Hemisphere introduced here.


ā€œI feel that now we are leading the industry in certifications, we have established this as a competitive advantage, with nine [Citation] products in the last three years. There isn’t any manufacturer who comes close, not only the design but also putting them through the certification and testing process. These are really a direct response to customer feedback and to continue to allow us to grow. I also expect to see the same aggressive activities going forward across all our product lines, not only refreshed products but growing into new markets.ā€


The Longitude, unveiled as a full-scale airframe at the NBAA static display at Henderson Executive Airport, has some new performance parameters, including a 3,400-nm range instead of the originally planned 4,000 nm. The longer-range mantle will be taken up by the Hemisphere, which will offer a range of 4,500 nm in a much larger cabin than the Latitude and Longitude. First flight of the Longitude is expected in mid-2016, followed by deliveries in the second half of 2017.


ā€œOur New Longitude is going to set a whole new standard in the super-midsize [arena],ā€ Ernest said. ā€œIt’s a phenomenally performing airplane. For us range has been a big focus for customer feedback. This allows domestic and international capability. We put together the best performance, speed and operating cost in a super-midsize jet. We’ve already had customers in to see it, and are already taking orders.ā€


Redesigned Production Facility


Textron Aviation has redesigned parts of the Wichita assembly line for the Latitude and Longitude. While the Latitude’s tailcone, empennage and nose are built in Mexico, the new line is more efficient, and its tail section will be made in Wichita, along with the center and forward cabin sections and wings. The Latitude’s cabin sections and wings are also built in Wichita.


What makes the Wichita assembly line more efficient is a vertical assembly tool for the cabin sections. ā€œThis has improved efficiency,ā€ said Ron Draper, senior vice president, integrated supply chain. ā€œIt hasn’t changed the amount of work; it made it easier to do the work.ā€ The vertical tool allows technicians to do all the work at chest height. Developed by a Textron Aviation manufacturing engineer, the tool moves the technicians up and down inside the cabin section to keep the work always at the same level, which improves worker safety and thus enhances efficiency. This also saves floor space. Both the Latitude and Longitude cabin sections are made in the vertical tool, and there are three, two for the forward cabin/cockpit section and one for the main cabin section.


ā€œThe team has demonstrated that we can manage multiple programs at the same time,ā€ Ernest said. That not only includes the new Hemisphere as well, but Textron Aviation’s planned competitor in the single-engine turboprop marketplace. ā€œWe’re going to continue investing in that product,ā€ he said.