Textron Aviation rolled the first production Cessna Citation Ascend out of its Wichita, Kansas facility on 15 September 2025, marking a major step toward customer deliveries of the newest midsize Citation. The company says the jet is expected to receive FAA certification later in 2025, a milestone that would clear the way for initial deliveries.
The Ascend updates the long-running Citation 560XL family with modern avionics, a redesigned flat-floor cabin and new engines, features Textron says will boost efficiency and passenger comfort for midsize business-jet operators. Industry observers will watch certification closely because the program’s timing affects orders, leasing plans and fleet deployments.
Program progress and what Textron announced
Textron’s media release and employee event announced the rollout as the first production unit — following two earlier flight-test articles (the prototype and a conforming production test aircraft). Textron emphasized the rollout as a manufacturing milestone ahead of the remaining certification work. The OEM’s statement included praise for shop craftsmanship and a nod to modernized supply-chain and production processes.
Todd McKee, Textron’s SVP of Integrated Supply Chain, thanked factory teams and highlighted the program’s technology updates, messaging that appeared verbatim in the company press release and was quoted by trade outlets.
What’s in the Ascend: engines, avionics, cabin
- Engines: The Ascend is powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada PW545D turbofans, chosen for improved fuel efficiency and thrust compared with earlier variants.
- Avionics: The flight deck features Garmin’s G5000 avionics suite, including autothrottle, a notable addition that reduces pilot workload and brings advanced automation to this Citation segment.
- Cabin & capacity: Textron describes a flat-floor cabin that maximizes legroom and flexibility; standard seating is arranged for nine, with numerous USB ports and outlets to meet modern passenger needs. The Ascend follows the 560XL lineage and is positioned as a comfortable midsize option for corporate and charter operators.
These technical and customer-focused choices align with market demand for better payload/range economics and upgraded passenger experience in the midsize segment.
Certification timeline and testing context
Textron says the Ascend is expected to achieve FAA certification later in 2025. The program has completed multiple test flights: the prototype first flew in 2023, the conforming production test article (P1) has flown since June 2024, and the production rollout adds the next article into the flight-test/certification sequence. While Textron reports no new systemic technical obstacles, FAA review and final test evidence will determine the precise certification date.
Market positioning and commercial context
The Ascend refreshes the popular Citation 560XL line, which has seen more than 1,000 deliveries across 25 years. Textron positions the Ascend as blending the 560XL’s operating economics with cabin and cockpit features from larger Citations such as the Latitude and Longitude, appealing to operators who want midsize performance with modern amenities. Pricing announced previously was approximately $16.725 million (2023 dollars) at launch.
Industry outlets note the Ascend enters a competitive midsize market, incumbents include Embraer Praetor/Legacy families and newer offerings from Gulfstream and Bombardier in adjacent tiers, but the Ascend’s balance of cost, capability and commonality with established Citation logistics may appeal to operators looking to limit training and support complexity.
What operators should watch
- FAA certification bulletins and Type Certificate issuance: the authoritative signal for customer deliveries.
- Flight-test updates: additional conforming production flights and expanded systems checks will provide data on performance and reliability.
- Early operator feedback: once deliveries begin, real-world fuel burn, maintenance intervals and dispatch reliability will influence purchasing decisions.
What’s next (outlook)
If the FAA clears the Ascend in 2025 as Textron expects, deliveries and customer acceptance flights should begin soon after, with Textron ramping production and support infrastructure. That would add a modern midsize Citation to the market and provide existing Citation operators an upgrade path with parts and training commonality. Conversely, any FAA requests for additional testing could shift initial delivery schedules into 2026, a normal contingency in cert programs.
