| Hawker 400 | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Hawker 400XP | |
| General information | |
| Type | Business jet |
| National origin | Japan/United States |
| Manufacturer | Hawker Beechcraft |
| Status | Out of production, in service |
| Primary users | Flight Options[1] |
| Number built | 951: 92 Mitsubishi MU-300,[2] 859 Beechjet 400[3] |
| History | |
| Manufactured | 1978–2009 |
| First flight | August 29, 1978 (as Mitsubishi Diamond) |
| Variants | T-1 Jayhawk Nextant 400XT |
TheHawker 400 (also known as theBeechjet 400) is a lightbusiness jet. Initially designed and built byMitsubishi, it has been further developed and updated by theBeech Aircraft Company, now part ofTextron Aviation. A military version, theT-1 Jayhawk was also produced. In total, over 900 Hawker 400s have been delivered. In 2017, Hawker began to offer a manufacturer supported upgrade package known as the Hawker 400XPR. The new modifications are intended to reduce fuel consumption and improve range.
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The Hawker 400 is a small, low-winged twin-turbofan aircraft of all metal construction, flown by a crew of two pilots and accommodating eight passengers in apressurised cabin. Its wings use a computer-designedsupercritical airfoil in order to minimise drag. Its twoPratt & Whitney Canada JT15D turbofans are mounted on the rear fuselage.[4][5]
The 400 can fly 1,351 nmi (2,502 km) with four passengers, cruising at Mach 0.71–0.73, and most pilots are comfortable flying it over three hours, about 1,175 nmi (2,176 km) cruising at Mach 0.73–0.76. Typical missions are 1.5 to 2.0 hours with 400 kn (740 km/h) block speeds.It burns 1,500 lb (680 kg) of fuel the first hour, dropping to 1,100–1,200 lb (500–540 kg) for the second.Basic operating weights range from 11,000 to 11,100 lb (4,990 to 5,030 kg), full tanks payload is less than 500–600 lb (230–270 kg) with an average passenger load of three, however its full capacity is six passengers 1,100 nmi (2,000 km).[1]
The aircraft was originally designed as theMitsubishi MU-300 Diamond, an all-new, all-jet development to complement and slot above theMitsubishi MU-2 and provideMitsubishi Heavy Industries with their top-of-the-line corporate aircraft model (hence the name "Diamond").[6] It first flew on August 29, 1978.[7] Mitsubishi chose tocertificate the Diamond in the United States underFAA Part 25 regulations for transport aircraft, but additional requirements introduced by the FAA after thecrash of an American Airlines DC-10 airliner at Chicago resulted in significant delays in the certification process, with the required changes to the aircraft adding 600 lb (270 kg),[8] and the aircraft not receiving its certification until November 6, 1981.[9] Mitsubishi went on to produce 97 MU-300s, all of which were assembled by the company's United States subsidiary.[10]
In 1985, Mitsubishi sold the rights and a number of unfinished airframes to Beechcraft, who began manufacturing it as their own model, initially re-designated as theBeechjet 400,certificated by theFederal Aviation Administration in May 1986.[11]Raytheon/Beechcraft developed improvements for the 1990400A for longer range, higher take-off weights, luxury appointments and offering an all-glass flight deck.
Beechcraft developed theT-1 Jayhawk version for theUnited States Air Force, used as a trainer for crew of large aircraft like tankers and strategic transports: 180 were delivered between 1992 and 1997. TheJapan Air Self-Defense Force 400T trainer shares the T1-AType certificate.[11]
In 1993, Raytheon purchased the Hawker business jets fromBritish Aerospace and renamed the Beechjet 400 as theHawker 400 to include it in the line.
In 2003, Raytheon began to produceHawker 400XP, which included: 200 lb (91 kg) gross weight increase, a nine passenger seating option,thrust reversers, TCAS II, and anemergency locator beacon.[12]
In 2008, Hawker Beechcraft announced an improved Hawker 450XP including new, more fuel efficientPratt & Whitney PW535Ds with 2,965 pounds of thrust each,[13] but it was canceled in June 2009 due to poor economic conditions.[14]In 2009, its unit cost was $7.4 millionUSD.[15]
Nextant Aerospace re-manufactured Hawker 400XP as the Nextant 400XT, replacing theJT15Ds withWilliams FJ44-3APs and adding new avionics and interior. It was FAA-certified in October 2011.[16]Up to one-third of the 400A/400XP fleet could be retrofitted, enabling improved range, speed and fuel efficiency. It should keep their resale value to remain in economic service for another twenty to thirty years, likeFalcon 20s reengined withTFE731s.[1]
In 2012, Textron has first flown Hawker 400XPR,[17] which improves 4-pax range to 1,950 nmi (3,610 km; 2,240 mi), has betterhot and high performance, and can climb to FL450 atmax takeoff weight in 19 min.[18] The conversion features new avionics, interior, winglets, andWilliams FJ44-4A-32 engines.[19] Hawker 400XPR was certified in 2016,[20] and first fully configured Hawker 400XPR was delivered in July 2017; the upgrade can be performed in 12 weeks with a choice ofRockwell Collins Pro Line 4 to 21 orGarmin G5000 avionics.[17]
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The type is used by many corporate and private users, it is also used by air-taxi and air charter companies.[verification needed]
In 2014, most were U.S. registered, a majority with single aircraft operators.Flight Options andTravel management co. were its largest operators asNetJets Europe has disposed of its fleet.The second highest concentration was in Mexico, then Brazil, the rest were scattered throughout the world.The USAF operated 178T-1A Jayhawks.Charter andfractional operators fly at least 800 to 900 hours per year while most corporate operators fly 300 to 400 hours.[1]
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Data from Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1999/2000,[29] Hawker 400XPR Product Analysis[18]
General characteristics
Performance
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
