The United States military issued a request for proposal for a trainer to be used by the United States Air Force and United States Navy.^[1] Cessna responded with the 526, based on its 525 CitationJet civilian business jet. The 526 and 525 shared 75% commonality including the wings, engines and landing gear. The electrical- hydraulic- and fuel systems were also common to the two types. The 526 had a redesigned fuselage featuring a tandem two-seat cockpit with zero-zero ejection seats; and a new empennage with a low-mounted tailplane instead of the 525's T-tail.^[1]

The prototype first flew on 20 December 1993 and was followed by a second prototype with its first flight on 2 March 1994.^[1]

The CitationJet did not succeed in the competition, which was won by the turboprop Beechcraft T-6 Texan II, a variant of the Pilatus PC-9.

Data from ^[1][2]

General characteristics

• Crew: 2
• Length: 40 ft 8 in (12.40 m)
• Wingspan: 37 ft 0 in (11.28 m)
• Height: 12 ft 6 in (3.81 m)
• Wing area: 218 sq ft (20.6 m²) est.
• Empty weight: 6,450 lb (2,925 kg)
• Gross weight: 8,500 lb (3,855 kg)
• Powerplant: 2 × Williams-Rolls F129 turbofan, 1,500 lbf (6.7 kN) thrust each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 311 mph (500 km/h, 270 kn)
• Maximum speed: Mach 0.70
• Range: 1,209 mi (1,944 km, 1,051 nmi)
• Service ceiling: 35,000 ft (10,668 m) certified

• Textron Scorpion

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

• Pilatus PC-9
• Rockwell Ranger 2000