TEXTRON AVIATION SPECIAL MISSIONS CESSNA GRAND CARAVANS TO BE ACQUIRED TO AID IN HORN OF AFRICA SECURITY

 Two Cessna Grand Caravan EX aircraft will be equipped to ensure the border sovereignty of
the country of Djibouti

WICHITA, Kan. (March 13, 2024) — Textron Aviation today announced the award of a
contract by the U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, AL, for two Cessna
Grand Caravan EX turboprop aircraft. The aircraft will be owned and operated by the
Djiboutian Air Force (DAF). This acquisition is the third delivery order under a recently
established indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract that allows up to $100
million U.S. dollars for the acquisition of Textron Aviation aircraft over a five-year period.

The Cessna Grand Caravan EX is designed and manufactured by Textron Aviation Inc., a
Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company.

“The two special missions Cessna Grand Caravan EX aircraft will be Intelligence,
Surveillance, and Reconnaissance equipped to ensure the border sovereignty of the
country of Djibouti,” said Bob Gibbs, vice president, Special Mission Sales for Textron
“The two special missions Cessna Grand Caravan EX aircraft will be Intelligence,
Surveillance, and Reconnaissance equipped to ensure the border sovereignty of the
country of Djibouti,” said Bob Gibbs, vice president, Special Mission Sales for Textron

TEXTRON AVIATION

FLEET - TEXTRON AVIATION ANNOUNCES CONFIRMED ORDER FOR FIRST 20 CESSNA GRAND CARAVAN EX AIRCRAFT FROM SURF AIR MOBILITY

Textron Aviation today announced that Surf Air Mobility Inc. has confirmed its order and paid the deposit for the first 20 Cessna Grand Caravan EX aircraft to be purchased under its previously announced initial fleet order of up to 100 aircraft with options for 50 additional aircraft. Deliveries of the aircraft are expected to begin in the first half of 2024. The anticipated initial fleet delivery demonstrates progress in the exclusive relationship between the two companies supporting Surf Air Mobility’s development of an electrified Cessna Grand Caravan EX aircraft.

The Cessna Grand Caravan EX is designed and manufactured by Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company.

Surf Air Mobility has announced its intention that the Cessna Grand Caravan EX single-engine turboprops will be upgraded to Surf Air Mobility’s proprietary electric or hybrid-electric powertrain technology. Surf Air Mobility is targeting FAA supplemental type certification in 2026.

“We are excited to see Surf Air’s progress in expanding their fleet with deliveries expected to begin early next year,” said Lannie O’Bannion, senior vice president, Global Sales and Flight Operations. “The Cessna Caravan’s adaptability for passenger and cargo operations makes it an ideal platform for hybrid electric and electric propulsion innovations. This exclusive relationship demonstrates Textron Aviation’s commitment to the future of sustainable flight.”



Surf Air Mobility anticipates that the hybrid electric Cessna Grand Caravan EX aircraft will be utilized by Surf Air Mobility across its own network, connecting more airports with short-haul direct service across the U.S. on a path to creating a regional mass transport platform to sustainably connect communities. Surf Air Mobility will also be the exclusive provider to Textron Aviation of certain battery electric and hybrid electric powertrain technology for the Cessna Grand Caravan.



“Our relationship with Textron Aviation is paramount in our mission to revolutionize air travel,” said Sudhin Shahani, co-founder of Surf Air Mobility. “This initial fleet delivery solidifies our commitment to bringing advanced electric aircraft to market to reduce fuel emissions and the cost of air travel.”

 

Textron Aviation unveils new large-utility turboprop, the Cessna SkyCourier; FedEx Express signs as launch customer for up to 100 aircraft

WICHITA, Kan. (Nov. 28, 2017) – Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, today announced its new twin-engine, high-wing, large-utility turboprop – the Cessna SkyCourier 408. FedEx Express, the world’s largest express transportation company and longtime Textron Aviation customer, has signed on as the launch customer for up to 100 aircraft, with an initial fleet order of 50 cargo aircraft and options for 50 more. Entry into service for the clean-sheet design Cessna SkyCourier is planned for 2020.

“With our depth of expertise and proven success in new product development, we were eager to work directly with a world-class company like FedEx Express to jointly develop the Cessna SkyCourier,” said Scott Ernest, president and CEO of Textron Aviation. “The aircraft will fulfill a gap in this market segment with its superior performance and low operating costs in combination with the cabin flexibility, payload capability and efficiency only a clean-sheet design can offer.”