End Of The Road For Citation X+ Textron Aviation brand Cessna is looking to end the long-time production of the Citation X latest iteration, the X+. It wasn't that they weren't selling -even though demand has been slackening- it is more of a strategic move on the part of Textron. With the Citation Longitude expected to start deliveries soon they do not want potential cannibalism of market share for the new offering. So it appears the decision has been made to end the 22-year long production run of the fastest business jet.
The Citation X+ still reigns as the fastest civilian business jet around and is perhaps the product of competition from the Gulfstream G650 as this aircraft briefly took the speed title from the Citation X forcing Cessna to make aerodynamic improvements and other enhancements to edge back out in front in the speed territory for the X+ model. What the G650 couldn't do in speed it comfortably surpasses the X+ in range. Mind you, the difference between the two aircraft in speed is minimal. The Citation X+ from Cessna has the greatest swept wing and T-tail of any business jet. Since entering production in 1990 or so, over 300 were built and delivered. To date, around 30 of the third generation X+'s have been shipped to customers. For more information: Cessna Aircraft Company 1 Cessna Blvd. Wichita, KS 67215 www.cessna.com ***
