FutureFlight
Textron eAviation Wants to Lead Mainstream Business Aviation to an Advanced Air Mobility Future
Along with Embraer, the U.S. group is the only established private aircraft maker to so far embrace electric and autonomous technology.
The Nexus eVTOL aircraft from Bell is one part of Textron's portfolio of electric aircraft.
The Nexus eVTOL aircraft from Bell is one part of Textron's portfolio of electric aircraft. (Image: Textron)

This year Textron Aviation has made a big leap forward in executing its strategic plan for a leadership role in the so-called advanced air mobility (AAM) revolution. Alongside rival Embraer, it is the only other mainstream business aircraft manufacturer to be assembling a credible product portfolio of electric and autonomous aircraft.

The U.S. aerospace and defense group sees the new sector gaining serious momentum from around 2030, and by then it could potentially have several new electric aircraft ready to enter service next to a product line that already includes the ubiquitous King Air and Caravan turboprop families and Citation business jets.