The Citation II aircraft (Cessna Model 550) was developed by the American firm Cessna, based on the light passenger aircraft Citation (Cessna Model 500). The prototype made its first flight on January 31, 1977. Like the base aircraft, the Citation II is an all-metal monoplane with a straight wing and swept tail unit.
Design Features and Modifications
Due to the necessity of accommodating special radio-electronic equipment and an additional fuel supply, the fuselage of the base aircraft was extended by 1.14 m. The front part of the fuselage houses the pilot cockpit and an AN/APS-128 search radar with a phased array antenna, covered by a radio-transparent radome. Behind the pilot cockpit is a tactical cabin, where two stations equipped with apparatus for sea observation through special portholes are located. This area also includes the radar operator’s console with a data display unit, and a similar unit is installed in the pilot cockpit.
Navigation and Propulsion Systems
The core of the navigation equipment consists of the onboard apparatus of the Omega radio navigation system, with LORAN system equipment used as a backup.
The aircraft’s powerplant comprises two Pratt & Whitney Canada JT-15D4 turbofan engines, each with a thrust of 1130 kg. The engines are mounted on horizontal pylons on the sides in the rear part of the fuselage. The fuel system capacity is 2800 liters, with fuel stored in wing tanks.
International Operators
In addition to the US Coast Guard, the aircraft is used by the Spanish Navy Aviation and the Air Forces of Turkey and Venezuela.
Technical Specifications
| Modification | Citation II |
| Wingspan, m | 15.76 |
| Aircraft length, m | 14.40 |
| Aircraft height, m | 4.57 |
| Wing area, m2 | 30.00 |
| Empty weight | 3351 |
| Maximum takeoff weight | 6033 |
| Internal fuel, kg | 2272 |
| Engine type | 2 Turbofan engines Pratt Whitney Canada JT-15D-4 |
| Thrust, kN | 2 x 11.12 |
| Maximum speed, km/h | 788 |
| Cruising speed, km/h | 713 |
| Patrol speed, km/h | 240 |
| Practical range, km | 3151 |
| Operational radius, km | 370 |
| Patrol duration, h | 3 |
| Service ceiling, m | 13100 |
| Crew, crew | 4 |
Image gallery of the Citation II
