Williams International V-Jet II
Williams International · United States · first flew 1997 · light aircraft
The Williams International V-Jet II was a small twin-turbofan demonstrator aircraft first flown in 1997, designed to prove the viability of an affordable personal jet and directly influencing the Very Light Jet (VLJ) category.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, swept |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turbofan, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | V-tail configuration with rear-fuselage-mounted Williams turbofans |
| T — Tail | V-tail |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Small twin-jet demonstrator that influenced the VLJ market
- V-tail configuration with rear-fuselage-mounted Williams turbofans
- NASA-Williams personal jet concept aircraft
Compact mid-wing jet with distinctive V-tail, two small turbofan engines mounted on the rear fuselage, and a clean swept-wing planform — resembles a scaled-down business jet.
Specifications
- The Williams International V-Jet II has a length of 10.69 m (35 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10.77 m (35 ft).
- Typical crew: 1-2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed by engine manufacturer Williams International in partnership with NASA, the V-Jet II demonstrated that small, fuel-efficient turbofan engines could power a practical personal jet aircraft. The aircraft's success led directly to the Eclipse Aviation Eclipse 500 and other VLJ designs that entered the market in the 2000s.
Variants
A single demonstrator aircraft was built; the programme's legacy lives in derivative VLJ designs rather than V-Jet II variants.
Where you'll see it
Operated as a technology demonstrator; never commercially produced or certified.
Related aircraft
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