Raytheon is to unveil plans for a new super-mid-sized Hawker jet at the NBAA in Orlando this year.
Roy Norris, president of Raytheon Aircraft, says the next-generation Hawker will be "...bigger, faster and have a longer range than any of its predecessors".
He stresses that it will not be an enhanced Hawker 1000 but a completely new aircraft using new technologies and manufacturing techniques.
The new Hawker is likely to be positioned to compete with the Astra Galaxy and LearJet 45.
Norris promises the new aircraft will be cost competitive due to the complete rebuild of the company's factory in Kansas "...to give us the most advanced manufacturing facility in the market", says Norris. "We've already put $150 million investment in design and automation improvements with more to come."
He says Orlando will also be the venue where more details of the company's proposed Premier II jet will be disclosed. The Premier II will complement The Premier I, the firm's new entry-level business jet which has a prototype in assembly. It is still in the design phase but will be "a light, mid-sized jet", says Norris.
He adds the Premier I is "on schedule and on budget" and the company has solid orders "in the high double digit range". He adds the firm is considering accelerating the production schedule to meet demand.
Source: Flight Daily News
