Cessna Model 526 CitationJet

Military Primary Jet Trainer Prototype [ 1993 ]

The Cessna Model 526 CitationJet lost out to the Beech-Pilatus entry in the Joint Primary Aircraft Training System program.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 10/14/2021 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

Image form original Cessna Aviation marketing material.

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After the demise of the Fairchild T-46 jet trainer aircraft program of 1985 (cancelled in 1988), the "Joint Primary Aircraft Training System" (JPATS) was established during the early part of the 1990s as a joint-venture between the United States Air Force (USAF) / United States Navy (USN) service to produce a suitable cross-service training aircraft. Proposals were plenty with offerings emerging from Cessna, Brazil-based Embraer, Vought, Lockheed, Beech-Pilatus, Rockwell, and Italian-based SIAI-Marchetti. At the end of the program in 1995, the winner became the Beechcraft T-6A "Texan II" based in the Pilatus PC-9 Mk.2 model. What followed were over 850 of the type which continues to serve today (2021).

The Cessna submission - known internally as "Model 526" - was based around the in-service "CitationJet" (Model 525) lightweight bizjet solution for the VIP market. The original design was considerably altered for the military training role with the outboard, rear-set engines now buried in the wingroots, the T-style tail unit becoming a traditional single-finned arrangement with low-set horizontal planes, and the side-by-side cockpit seating succeeded by a tandem configuration for student and instructor. In the end, there was approximately 75% commonality of parts between the two aircraft - making for some logistical friendliness and lowered development costs to boot. Shared components included the retractable, wheeled tricycle undercarriage, the straight, low-set monoplane wing mainplane members, and the turbofan engines with their applicable fuel systems.

The airframe was reworked for the rigors of military service and this included installation of ejection seats for both crewmen. All told, the aircraft was a sleek and interesting offering by the company known largely for its deep stable of executive haulers.

Work on the design ultimately yielded a pair of prototypes, the first of which flew for the first time on December 20th, 1993. The second model followed into the air on March 2nd, 1994. However, despite its promising nature, the design did not impress in subsequent competition phases and all entries alongside it were passed over in favor of the Beech-Pilatus design.

As completed, the Model 526 has a running length of 48.7 feet, a wingspan of 37 feet, and a height of 12.5 feet. Empty weight was 6,450lb with a gross weight of 8,500lb. Power was from 2 x Williams-Rolls F129 turbofan engines developing 1,500 thrust each. The powerplant was born from the original Williams FJ44 originating in 1985 and going on to power the Swedish Saab 105 military trainer, German Grob G180 SPn corporate jet, and the Swiss Pilatus PC-24 light business jet. The FJ44 subsequently inspired the follow-on FJ33 design by the company.

Performance-wise, the jet trainer could manage a maximum speed of 311 miles-per-hour (Mach 0.70) and range out to 1,209 miles on internal fuel. Its service ceiling was 35,000 feet.©MilitaryFactory.com

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Specifications

Cessna Aviation - USA
Manufacturer(s)

United States (trialed, cancelled)
Operators

1993
Service Year

United States
National Origin

Cancelled
Project Status

2
Crew

2
Units

X-PLANE
Aircraft developed for the role of prototyping, technology demonstration, or research / data collection.

TRAINING
Developed ability to be used as a dedicated trainer for student pilots (typically under the supervision of an instructor).

TRAINING, ADVANCED
Dedicated advanced training platform for student pilots having graduated from basic flight training.

MULTI-ENGINE
Incorporates two or more engines, enhancing survivability and / or performance.

RUGGED AIRFRAME
Inherent ability of airframe to take considerable damage.

HIGH-ALTITUDE PERFORMANCE
Can reach and operate at higher altitudes than average aircraft of its time.

EXTENDED RANGE PERFORMANCE
Capability to travel considerable distances through onboard fuel stores.

MARITIME OPERATION
Ability to operate over ocean in addition to surviving the special rigors of the maritime environment.

PILOT / CREW EJECTION SYSTEM
Assisted process of allowing its pilot and / or crew to eject in the event of an airborne emergency.

CREWSPACE PRESSURIZATION
Supports pressurization required at higher operating altitudes for crew survival.

CREW-MANAGED
Beyond a pilot, the aircraft takes advantage of additional crew specialized in specific functions aboard the aircraft.

ENCLOSED CREWSPACE(S)
Features partially- or wholly-enclosed crew workspaces.

RETRACTABLE UNDERCARRIAGE
Features retracting / retractable undercarriage to preserve aerodynamic efficiency.

40.7 ft
(12.40 meters)
Length

37.0 ft
(11.28 meters)
Width/Span

12.5 ft
(3.81 meters)
Height

6,449 lb
(2,925 kilograms)
Empty Weight

8,499 lb
(3,855 kilograms)
Maximum Take-Off Weight

+2,050 lb
(+930 kg)
Weight Difference

monoplane / low-mounted / straight
Mainplane Arrangement

Monoplane
Design utilizes a single primary wing mainplane; this represents the most popular modern mainplane arrangement.

Low-Mounted
Mainplanes are low-mounted along the sides of the fuselage.

Straight
The planform involves use of basic, straight mainplane members.

2 x Williams-Rolls F129 (Williams FJ44) non-afterburning turbofan engine developing 1,500 lb of thrust each.
Propulsion

311 mph
(500 kph | 270 knots)
Max Speed

270 mph
(435 kph | 235 knots)
Cruise Speed

+40 mph
(+65 kph | 35 knots)
Speed Difference

35,000 ft
(10,668 m | 7 miles)
Ceiling

1,209 miles
(1,945 km | 1,050 nm)
Range

MACH Regime (Sonic)

Sub

Trans

Super

Hyper

HiHyper

ReEntry

♦

None.

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Image of the Cessna Model 526 CitationJet

Image form original Cessna Aviation marketing material.

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