Raytheon/Beech Historical Overview

1930’s

  • Beech Aircraft Corporation is founded in 1932 by
    Walter H. and Olive Ann Beech.
  • The first Beechcraft produced is the Model 17—the
    classic Beechcraft "Staggerwing." Designed
    especially for the business traveler, the airplane
    proves to be faster than military pursuit airplanes
    of the day and wins numerous air races.
  • In 1937, Beech introduces the Model 18 "Twin
    Beech." This airplane is to business what the
    DC-3 is to the airlines. Produced until 1970, the
    33 years of continuous Model 18 production was a record
    until surpassed by the Beechcraft Bonanza.

1940’s

  • During World War II, more than 14,000 Beechcrafters
    produce some 7,400 airplanes for the United States
    and Allied armed forces. It is estimated that 90 percent
    of all U.S. Army Air Corps bombardiers and navigators
    are trained in AT-7 and AT-11 aircraft—derivatives
    of the Beechcraft Model 18.
  • Following the war, in 1947, Beech introduces the Model
    35 Beech Bonanza. The new Beech is a high-performance,
    single-engine, business airplane. Its record for continuous
    production is still lengthening.

1960’s

  • In 1961, Beech introduces the Baron B55, the forerunner
    of today’s Baron 58, one of the most popular owner-flown
    twin-engine aircraft available.
  • In 1964, Beech introduces the Model 90 Beech King
    Air. It quickly establishes itself as the industry
    standard in corporate jetprops. Today, the various
    King Air models maintain a market share of more than
    90 percent in their class.
  • In 1968, Beech enters an expanding commuter airline
    market with the Beechcraft 99 Airliner.

1970’s

  • In 1974, Beech delivers the first Beech King Air 200,
    which brings new standards of room, speed, and passenger
    comfort to a business airplane. Beech has delivered
    nearly 2,000 Model 200s in civilian and military versions.
  • In 1975, Beech delivers the first C-12—the military
    version of the Beech Super King Air 200—to the
    U.S. Army. Today, all four branches of the U.S. Armed
    Forces—Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps—fly
    C-12s in various configurations. The Navy also uses
    Beech T-34C jetprop trainers for primary flight training,
    and versions of the Beech King Air Model 90, designated
    T-44A, for multi-engine training.

1980’s

  • On February 8, 1980, Beech Aircraft Corporation becomes
    a subsidiary of Raytheon Company, a diversified electronics
    and technology company located in Lexington, Massachusetts.
  • Early in 1984, Beech delivers the first of its new
    pressurized 1900 Airliners to regional airlines. Today,
    more than 600 of the 19-passenger jetprops have been
    delivered worldwide.
  • Also in 1984, Beech introduces the Beech King Air
    300, which offers improvement in speed, performance,
    and cabin amenities over its predecessors.
  • On December 2, 1985, Beech announces the addition
    of the Beechjet to its product line. Beechjet is a
    535-mile-per-hour eight-to-ten passenger transport
    and features new business jet technology, having been
    certified in May 1985.
  • In May 1987, Beech announces it will retrofit more
    than 5,000 V-tail Bonanzas produced since 1950 to
    account for errors in government aircraft certification
    design data revealed during Beech’s two year, multimillion-dollar
    research effort. Demonstrating Beech’s commitment
    to its customers, the company pays for the retrofit
    for any airworthy Bonanza affected.
  • In early 1988, Beech announces it will relocate assembly
    and subassembly work on the Beechjet from Mitsubishi
    facilities in Japan to Kansas, creating hundreds of
    new jobs for American workers.
  • In October 1988, Beech introduces the Beechjet 400A,
    which features a larger interior and the most advanced
    flight deck available.
  • In October 1989, Beech introduces the Beech King Air
    350. With a wider wing span, double-club seating and
    two-foot-high winglets, the 350 is the most comfortable
    and capable King Air ever built.

1990’s

  • In February 1990, U.S. Air Force officials announce
    the selection of the Beechjet for its T-1A Jayhawk
    program to train tanker and transport pilots. With
    all contract options exercised, Beech Aircraft is
    to provide 180 Beechjets to the Air Force for specialized
    undergraduate pilot training.
  • In September 1990, Beech Aircraft commits to compete
    for the U.S. Air Force and Navy Joint Primary Aircraft
    Training System. The Beech team offers a missionized
    version of the Pilatus PC-9 to be called the Beech
    MkII, an advanced, high-performance primary trainer.
  • In March 1991, Beech is awarded a type certificate
    for the 1900D Airliner, a state-of-the-art 19-passenger,
    pressurized aircraft featuring a 71-inch stand-up
    cabin, more baggage capacity, and improved passenger
    comfort features.
  • At the National Business Aircraft Association convention
    in October 1991, Beech introduces the new King Air
    C90B, which features a redesigned passenger cabin,
    new sound absorbent and moisture resistant interior
    panels, four-blade propellers, new propeller spinners
    and a new paint scheme.
  • On January 17, 1992, Beech delivers the first T-1A
    Jayhawk to the U.S. Air Force in ceremonies near the
    company’s jet assembly line.
  • On July 6, 1993, Mrs. O.A. Beech, co-founder of Beech
    Aircraft, dies in Wichita at age 89.
  • On July 12, 1993, Raytheon Company names Arthur E.
    Wegner as a senior vice president of Raytheon and
    chairman and chief executive officer of Beech.
  • In August 1993, Raytheon Company acquires Raytheon
    Corporate Jets, producers of the mid-sized Hawker
    jet line, from British Aerospace.
  • In mid-September of 1994, Beech Aircraft and Raytheon
    Corporate Jets merge to form Raytheon Aircraft. Arthur
    E. Wegner is named chairman and CEO.
  • At the end of 1994, U.S. Air Force exercises sixth
    option for 32 T-1A Jayhawks worth $127 million, bringing
    the total order to 180 aircraft worth $755 million.
  • In April of 1995, the company’s new Administration
    Building opens. A $10 million, 100,000-square-foot
    facility, the building provides a modern showcase
    in which to conduct business with Raytheon Aircraft
    customers from around the world.
  • The Beech MkII is chosen as the U.S. Air Force and
    U.S. Navy’s next-generation primary trainer aircraft
    in a highly competitive selection process on June
    22, 1995. The multibillion-dollar program calls for
    the production of more than 700 aircraft. The joint
    services would soon name the aircraft the T-6A Texan II.
  • In September 1995, Raytheon Aircraft introduces its
    all-new light jet, the Raytheon Premier I, which utilizes
    the latest technologies in design and construction
    to provide outstanding comfort, performance, and value.
  • Also in September 1995, the first Hawker 800XP (Extended
    Performance) is delivered to a customer. The Hawker
    800XP represents the first upgrade of the Hawker line
    since its acquisition by Raytheon Company.
  • In April 1996, the 3,000th Beech Bonanza A36 rolls
    off the production line. The 5,000th King Air is delivered
    in June 1996.
  • Raytheon Aircraft introduces the company’s all-new,
    super mid-sized jet, the Hawker Horizon, during the
    National Business Aircraft Association convention
    in November 1996.
  • In June 1997, Raytheon Aircraft announces the formation
    of Raytheon Travel Air, an aircraft fractional ownership
    company featuring the Hawker 800XP, the Beechjet 400A,
    and the King Air B200.
  • In spring of 1997, the company marks 50 years of continuous
    production of the popular single-engine Bonanza series.
  • In the summer of 1997, the company delivers the 180th
    and final T-1 Jayhawk pilot trainer to the U.S. Air
    Force.
  • At the end of 1997, Raytheon Aircraft marks a record
    year by generating more than $2.45 billion in sales.
  • In July 1998, the first production T-6A Texan II makes
    its maiden flight. Four other production aircraft
    would join the first to conduct flight tests in preparation
    for first delivery in 1999.
  • On December 22, 1998—exactly 53 years to the
    day from the first flight of the famed Beech Bonanza—the
    new Raytheon Premier I takes to the skies for the
    first time. The new entry-level business jet flew
    a successful 62-minute debut, paving the way for certification
    efforts in 1999.
  • Raytheon Aircraft ends 1998 with record sales of $2.5
    billion while delivering 395 aircraft.
  • In June 1999, Executive Jet, Inc. announces an order
    for 50 Hawker Horizon super mid-size business jets,
    with options for 50 more. Total value of the transaction,
    including support activities and options, is valued
    at $2 billion, a company and industry record.
  • Raytheon Travel Air scores number one on an independent
    survey for customer satisfaction among fractional
    ownership companies. The company ends 1999 with $230
    million in sales. Revenue and fractional share ownership
    grow in excess of 75 percent during the year.
  • The new Raytheon Premier I entry-level business jet
    completes more than 700 flight hours toward certification,
    and validates all critical performance numbers. More
    than 200 Premier Is are on order by the end of the
    year.
  • Raytheon Aircraft ends 1999 with record sales of $2.7
    billion and a record backlog of $4.3 billion, compared
    with $2.5 billion in 1998.

2000’s

  • In August 2000, upon the retirement of Art Wegner, Hansel
    Tookes becomes Chairman of Raytheon Aircraft, in addition
    to his titles of President and CEO.
  • Raytheon Aircraft ends 2000 with record sales of $3.2
    billion and deliveries of 525 aircraft, the most in
    nearly 20 years.
  • On March 23, 2001, the future of business aviation
    arrives. Raytheon Aircraft celebrates the Federal
    Aviation Administration certification of the new Premier
    I business jet. The Premier I is the first certified
    business jet with a composite fuselage, the first
    clean-sheet business jet certified by Raytheon Aircraft,
    and the first new airplane certified by Raytheon Aircraft
    in more than a decade. Orders stand at more than 300
    for the $5.3 million aircraft.
  • In an April 17 ceremony Raytheon Aircraft officially
    rolls out the second of its composite fuselage business
    jets . The super mid-size Hawker Horizon has transcontinental
    range and seating for up to 13.
  • On May 30, James E. Schuster is named Chairman and
    CEO of Raytheon Aircraft, succeeding Hansel Tookes,
    who becomes President of Raytheon International Inc.
  • On June 22, 2001, the innovative Premier I achieved
    an important milestone when first delivery was enthusiastically
    received by Troy Eaden.
  • On Aug. 11, the new super mid-size business jet, the Hawker
    Horizon, conducts its maiden flight. The composite-fuselage
    jet flew a 2 ½-hour mission from Wichita’s Beech Field
    that tested the aircraft’s flying qualities, engine operation,
    low-speed handling and climb performance. The aircraft flew to 10,500
    feet and
    operated at speeds up to 225 knots.
  • At
    NBAA 2002, Raytheon Aircraft announced the return
    of the Hawker and Beechcraft brands. Both known worldwide
    for their high performance,
    reliability, and large, comfortable cabins the brands
    represent corporate-flown aircraft (Hawkers) and
    those certified for single-pilot flight (Beechcraft).
  • On May 6, 2003, Raytheon Aircraft introduces the Hawker
    400XP at the 2003 European Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition.
    This new Hawker is a critical step in the company’s overall
    strategy to create distinct branding references for our customers.
    The aircraft was formerly known as the Beechjet 400A.
  • On
    Oct. 7, 2003, Raytheon Aircraft introduces the Collins
    Pro Line 21 avionics suites for the Beechcraft King
    Air 350 and B200. The cockpit
    upgrades mark a long line of product enhancements
    for the King Air line, which will celebrate its 40th
    anniversary in 2004.
  • On
    Jan. 20, 2004, Raytheon Aircraft celebrates the 40th
    anniversary of the first flight of the Beechcraft
    King Air. The original Beechcraft
    King Air Model 90 lifted off from Beech Field in
    Wichita on this date, and flew on to become most
    successful business aircraft of all time.
    The King Air family today remains a highly versatile
    aircraft line.