Dallas-based Vought wins $1 billion contract with Cessna

by PegNews wire

DALLAS — Vought Aircraft Industries announced today its selection as the provider of wings and slats for the Model 850 Cessna Citation Columbus business jet. The contract, with a potential value of more than $1 billion, covers engineering design, tooling and production work.

Photo not provided by Cessna, Vought

The state-of-the-art aircraft can seat up to .4 passengers in comfort and style

“This contract is just the latest affirmation of the high-quality production we do at Vought,” said Dennis Orzel, vice president and general manager, Vought Integrated Aerosystems Division. “The Cessna Citation Columbus is an innovative, world-class business jet, and we are honored to share our expertise and competitive advantage with this industry leader.”

Vought’s engineering and tool design will be done primarily in Dallas. Production work and other manufacturing engineering will be performed in Nashville. Production test articles are scheduled for delivery beginning in 2010, with production article deliveries scheduled to start in 2011.

“For the Nashville Vought facility, this contract is especially momentous,” said Dan Tharp, Vought’s general manager in Nashville. “This is our plant’s first new full wing contract in 20 years. It speaks to the relationship our Nashville team has built with Cessna in manufacturing the Cessna Citation X upper and lower wing panel assemblies. This economic charge to our region is one that our employees and our communities will certainly celebrate.”

The Citation Columbus is a large cabin, intercontinental aircraft with a target range of 4,000 nautical miles at Mach .80 carrying eight passengers. The all-new aircraft is Cessna’s largest business jet to date and is configurable for up to 10 passengers.

Vought Aircraft Industries, Inc. is one of the world's largest independent suppliers of aerostructures. Headquartered in Dallas, the company designs and manufactures major airframe structures such as wings, fuselage subassemblies, empennages, nacelles and other components for prime manufacturers of aircraft.

Source: Vought Aircraft Industries