Scaled Technology Works (STW), sister company of Burt Rutan's Scaled Composites, has signed an agreement with Cessna to supply composite structures for Citation business jets.
The long-term agreement is a boost for Montrose, Colorado-based STW, which was set up to certificate and manufacture Scaled Composites-designed aircraft. So far, none of Rutan's innovative designs has gone into production, and the Cessna deal "gives us a solid business base into the future", says business development manager Paul Oppenheim. "This will have a very significant impact on our sales," he adds.
The initial contract covers fabrication and subassembly of over 50 interior and secondary structures for the CitationJet, Citation Bravo, Citation Encore and Citation X. Oppenheim says the work is being outsourced by Cessna, and STW hopes that the agreement will be expanded as the manufacturer consolidates its supplier base.
STW still plans to manufacture Rutan-designed aircraft, and Oppenheim says the company has signed an agreement to certificate and produce Scaled Composites' Proteus if launch customer Angel Technologies goes ahead with plans to operate the high-altitude/long-endurance aircraft as communications relay platforms.
Discussions continue, but Oppenheim believes St Louis, Missouri-based Angel could launch its HALO (High Altitude Long Operation) network "in the near future". Eventual demand could be for 50-150 aircraft.
The company plans to almost double its workforce, to 130 people, over the next year, to handle the Cessna and other work.
Source: Flight International
