Textron Aviation has brought two updated light jet models into service within a week of each other, with both aircraft introducing Garmin autothrottle technology as a headline upgrade.
The company confirmed that the Cessna Citation CJ3 Gen2 entered service on 8 January 2026, followed by the Cessna Citation M2 Gen2 with Garmin autothrottles on 14 January.
Both aircraft were certified by the US Federal Aviation Administration in October 2025 and form part of Textron’s wider “Gen2” update programme across the Citation range.
The CJ3 Gen2 is positioned as the most comprehensively updated aircraft in the Gen2 family to date. Key changes include Garmin autothrottles, a redesigned cockpit with an additional 4.5 inches of pilot legroom, and a fully customisable cabin. The aircraft offers a maximum range of 2,040 nautical miles and a payload of 2,135 lb, with seating for up to 10 occupants.
Launch customers have already taken delivery, with Textron stating that customer feedback—via its advisory board of owners, pilots and mechanics—directly influenced the aircraft’s design and features.
The smaller M2 Gen2, already the most delivered light-entry jet in its class, gains Garmin autothrottles as its primary update. The system is designed to reduce pilot workload and provide protection against over- and under-speed conditions.
Performance figures for the M2 Gen2 include a maximum cruise speed of 404 knots, a range of 1,550 nautical miles and the ability to operate from runways as short as 3,210 feet. It is certified for single-pilot operation and powered by two Williams FJ44 engines.
Both aircraft share Garmin G3000 avionics and reflect a broader move by Textron to standardise automation and cockpit technology across its light jet portfolio.
The near-simultaneous entry into service of the two models underscores Textron’s focus on incremental upgrades rather than all-new platforms, with autothrottle capability now extending across multiple aircraft in the Citation light jet lineup.
