Cessna has launched a more powerful version of its 18-year-old Grand Caravan single-engined turboprop to extend its mission profiles at higher temperatures and higher altitudes, says the airframer.
The aircraft's new Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-140 engine provides a 25% increase in horse power from 675hp (500kN) to 867hp, a 20% improvement in the aircraft's rate of climb and a 10-12kt (18-22km/h) cruise speed improvement.
Service entry of the Grand Caravan EX is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2012.
Source: Flight International
