Ramon Lopez/WICHITA
RAYTHEON AIRCRAFT has sold almost 100 of its new Premier I light business-aircraft, even though first deliveries are not scheduled until late 1998.
Considered "the defining product for Raytheon for the next three decades", the Premier I programme is "on schedule, at cost and meeting all performance targets", says Roy Norris, president of Raytheon Aircraft.
Release of new details of the Premier I coincided with delivery of the 5,000th twin-turboprop Beech King Air, a Model 350.
The first flight of the six-passenger Premier I, which is powered by two 10kN (2,300lb)-thrust Williams Rolls-Royce FJ44-2As, is scheduled for the third quarter of 1997, with first deliveries planned for the end of 1998.
Production of 40 aircraft a year is planned, and Norris says: "We have not broken 100 firm orders yet, but we are getting very close." Raytheon is using an automated Cincinnati Milicron Viper Fibre Placement System to produce the composite carbonfibre/epoxy honeycomb Premier I fuselage, offering increased internal volume and reduced weight, enabling the aircraft to be stretched.
Len Roberts, head of the Premier I programme, says that tests show that the fibre-placement system "...is turning out structures that are sound and of superior quality. This process will revolutionise how we build aircraft at Raytheon."
He estimates a one-third reduction in fuselage-fabrication costs. Norris says that the Premier II and Premier III, which will be stretched, longer-range versions of the initial light-jet entry, are in the conceptual-design phase of research. Norris adds that the aircraft will follow launch of "a new advanced aircraft in the super-mid-sized jet category". The next-generation Hawker is expected to be launched at the US National Business Aircraft Association show to be held in November.
Source: Flight International
