Raytheon Aircraft's recovery continues, the company delivering 177 business aircraft last year and projecting deliveries of 211 aircraft this year - including the first two Hawker Horizon super mid-size business jets.
While shipments of the Beechcraft King Air series, Hawker 400XP (formerly Beechjet 400A) and Hawker 800XP met or exceeded expectations, Beechcraft Premier I light jet deliveries were below the original target, says Raytheon.
As a result, the company missed its 2003 delivery forecast of 191 aircraft, but still ended the year marginally up on 2002's total of 174 business aircraft.
Raytheon delivered 29 Premier Is last year, and plans to ship 40 this year. King Air production is also planned to increase, from 79 in 2003 to 93 in 2004. Hawker 800XP deliveries are forecast to stay essentially flat at 47 aircraft, while shipments of the revamped Hawker 400XP are planned to increase slightly to 29 aircraft.
The Wichita, Kansas-based company also delivered 82 piston-powered aircraft last year, with production of Bonanza singles and Baron twins planned to increase to 98 aircraft this year.
Source: Flight International
