Newly renamed Raytheon ready for future challenges
This seventh annual European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition sees one of the industry’s veteran players celebrate both a distinguished history an

This seventh annual European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition sees one of the industry’s veteran players celebrate both a distinguished history and a vital new beginning. Hawker Beechcraft Corp. marked the 75th anniversary of its Beechcraft roots on April 19, less than a month after the new company was created after parent Raytheon Aircraft was acquired by equity groups Onex Partners and GS Capital Partners for $3.3 billion.

The new company is making its first full public appearance this week here in Geneva, hailing its latest aircraft for the 21st century European business aviation market. At the same time, it will be celebrating a distinguished history that stretches back to 1932, when Walter and Olive Ann Beech formed Beech Aircraft Corp. to bring the world the classic Model 17 “Staggerwing” (see timeline below).