Cessna Announces Newest Entrant to Business Jet Market; Also Unveils Significant Upgrades to Popular Citation X.

Business Editors

PROVIDENCE, R.I.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 6, 2003

Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) announced that its Cessna Aircraft unit has introduced its newest entrant to the business jet market, the Citation XLS. The new aircraft reinforces the company's market and technology leadership and demonstrates the company's commitment to fueling organic growth.

The new Citation XLS also represents the next step in the successful Citation family and combines the comfort of Cessna's popular Citation Excel with a variety of key performance and avionics improvements. The Citation XLS is a logical step-up for customers wishing to move up from smaller light jets.

In addition, Cessna unveiled significant upgrades to the interior of its popular Citation X. The interior of the 2004 Citation X has been upgraded to provide increased passenger comfort, style, and maintainability.

Both announcements were made today in conjunction with the National Business Aviation Association's annual conference in Orlando, FL.

"Cessna continues to be at the forefront of the industry with new and innovative technologies and products that not only meet - but anticipate - the needs of business aviation customers around the globe," said Textron Chairman, President and CEO Lewis Campbell. "The new Citation XLS marks yet another major achievement for Cessna in delivering high performance, high value aircraft to its customers and is part of what secures the company's prominent brand stature within Textron."

More About the Citation XLS

The XLS is priced at $9,895,000 and Cessna anticipates Citation XLS certification in the first quarter of 2004 with first deliveries in mid-2004. Citation XLS line flow will begin in the fourth quarter of 2003.

The XLS is powered by Pratt & Whitney's new PW545B engines that provide 3,991 pounds of thrust each, an increase of 4.9 percent compared to the Excel. This additional thrust provides significant advancements in cruise speed and climb performance. At its maximum takeoff weight, the XLS is able to climb directly to 45,000 ft. in 25 minutes, and cruise at 428 ktas once at 45,000 ft.

The XLS cockpit features the all new Honeywell Primus 1000 Control Display System (CDS) avionics system with three 8" x 10" liquid crystal displays; two primary flight displays (PFD), one for each pilot; and one multi-function display (MFD).

The system's modernized displays present drop down menus that are accessed through a cursor controlled joystick in the pedestal. The Primus 1000 CDS is controlled by an Integrated Avionics Computer containing multiple functions; including the flight management system, global positioning system, flight director and autopilot. The system is also equipped with Honeywell's emergency descent mode which provides protection for crew and passengers in the event of a loss of pressurization by directing the flight control system to turn the aircraft 90 degrees to the left and descend to 15,000 feet altitude. All standard XLS avionics have been repackaged and are now stored in the nose of the aircraft for ease of maintenance.

The substantially expanded XLS standard equipment list incorporates more than $600,000 in once optional Excel equipment. The nine-place interior includes a six-place center-club seating configuration, with a two-place belted couch and aft left-hand belted seat. New passenger seats have been added that provide two to four inches additional cushion width. On the flight deck, all new crew seats from Goodrich Aerospace will be standard. These seats articulate in several positions for maximum comfort on both long and short flights. The latest technology in interior switching has been incorporated as standard to control lighting, cabin temperature, window shades and audio/video equipment. Traditional cabin lighting has been replaced with LED lights, which produce less heat and are more reliable. Additional new cabinetry has been added and veneer cabinetry is now standard.

Cessna has also incorporated a significantly enhanced brake system into the XLS, with improved maintainability and accessibility. The XLS will be delivered with a comprehensive standard warranty.

More About the 2004 Citation X Upgrades

New passenger seats, which provide customers with four additional inches of seated hip room, are amongst the most notable interior upgrades to the 2004 Citation X. Cessna has utilized its award-winning computer simulated design method to develop and certify the new passenger seats. On the flight deck, all new crew seats from Goodrich Aerospace will be standard. These seats articulate in several positions for maximum comfort on both long and short flights.

The contemporary interior furniture features pin-in/pin-out attachment hardware that improves maintenance and fit and finish. The latest LED technology in interior cabin controls and lighting has been incorporated to operate lighting, cabin temperature, window shades and audio/video equipment.

New options on the 2004 Citation X include the Max-Viz Enhanced (EVS) and Aircell satellite telephones. Cessna anticipates certification and first customer deliveries of the upgraded Citation X aircraft in 2004.

Cessna Aircraft Company is a subsidiary Textron Inc., an $11 billion multi-industry company with 49,000 employees in 40 countries. The company leverages its global network of businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services in industries such as aircraft, fastening systems, industrial products and components and finance. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO and Greenlee, among others. More information is available at www.textron.com or www.cessna.com.