Raytheon Aircraft delivered 282 aircraft during the first six months of 2000, a near 50% increase over the company's 1999 first half total of 191.

The Wichita, Kansas-based manufacturer delivered 11 more mid-size and light business jets this year than last, and 31 more King Air turboprops.

Billings for the first half of 2000 totaled $1.02 billion, growing 31% from 1999's new aircraft billings of $779 million.

Included in the first half totals are deliveries of the Beech/Pilatus PC-9 Mark II to the U.S. Air Force. Deliveries of the type to the Hellenic (Greek) Air Force began on July 17, and will be recorded in Raytheon's last-half 2000 totals.

By Paul Richfield