Cessna Aircraft Company has launched a $4.195m Citation M2 light business jet that can carry two crew and up to six passengers at a maximum cruise speed of 400ktas.

The Citation M2 is powered with Williams International FJ44-1AP-21 engines that generate 1,965lb of take-off thrust at static sea level.

This new and improved version of the Williams FJ44 engine incorporates improvements gathered from six million hours of operation of the 4,000 FJ44 engines in service.

The aircraft can operate at airports with runways as short as 3,250ft and can soar to 41,000ft in 24 minutes, the company said.

The aircraft has an aluminium airframe with a T-tail and a straight wing that includes LED lights.

Cessna Aircraft will make its first flight in the first half of 2012 and deliveries are expected to begin in the second half of 2013.