Summary

  • The Hawker 400, developed by Mitsubishi and later Beechcraft, has a production history from 1978 to 2009.
  • Beechcraft made performance improvements to the Hawker 400, developing the T-1 Jayhawk for the USAF.
  • Nextant Aerospace remanufactured the Hawker 400XP as the Nextant 400XT with upgraded engines and avionics in 2010.

The Hawker 400 is a light business twin-jet initially designed and developed by Mitsubishi, a Japanese company. The US-based Beech Aircraft Company (Hawker Beechcraft), now part of Textron Aviation, updated the Hawker 400 design and marketed it as the Beechjet 400.

The Hawker 400 is a twin-engined low-wing business jet with a seating capacity for up to nine passengers. Powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D turbofan engines or two Williams International FJ44 turbofan engines, the newer aircraft versions are more fuel-efficient and offer luxurious cabin interiors.

Hawker 4000 in the sky

Between 1978 and 2009, over 950 Hawker 400 jets were produced, most of which were produced by Hawker Beechcraft.

Manufacturer Designation Years Number built
Mitsubishi Mitsubishi MU-300 1978-1985 97
Hawker Beechcraft Beechjet 400 (several variants) 1985-2009 679
Hawker Beechcraft T-1 Jayhawk (for USAF) 1992-1997 180
Total 1978-2009 956

The initial development

The development of the Hawker 400 began at Mitsubishi in the mid-1970s as Mitsubishi MU-300 Diamond. The company designed the aircraft to provide Mitsubishi Heavy Industries with an elite aircraft model. The type performed its first flight in August 1978.

Following several delays in the testing and certification process, the type received US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification in November 1981. The company’s US subsidiary produced 97 units of the MU-300 Diamonds.

Mitsubishi MU-300 Diamond

  • Manufacturer: Mitsubishi Aircraft International Inc.
  • Max cabin seats: 7
  • Engine type: Pratt & Whitney JT15D-4D
  • Thrust per engine: 2,500 lbs (1,134 kg)
  • Take-off weight: 14,630 lbs (6,635 kg)
  • Max landing weight: 13,200 lbs (5,986 kg)
  • Payload: 1,850 lbs (839 kg)

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Transfer of rights

In 1985, the Japanese company sold the rights, along with several unfinished airframes, to Beechcraft, enabling further aircraft development. The US manufacturer updated the aircraft and redesignated it as Beechjet 400. The type received the FAA certification in May 1986.

In 1990, Beechcraft, along with Raytheon, developed several performance improvements to the aircraft, including:

  • Increased takeoff weight
  • Extra fuel capacity for longer range
  • Luxury interior
  • All-glass flight deck
The cockpit of the Hawker 4000

Between 1992 and 1997, Beechcraft developed a military version of the Bedchjet 400, the T-1 Jayhawk, for the United States Air Force. The USAF aimed to use the aircraft for training of its crew of large tankers and transport aircraft. The manufacturer produced 180 jets for the USAF.

Raytheon’s purchase of Hawker

In 1993, Raytheon purchased Hawker business jets from British Aerospace and renamed the Beechjet 400 to Hawker 400. The type gained further popularity in business aviation with newer advancements and a steady production line.

A newer version, Hawker 400XP, was produced in 2003. It has an increased gross weight, a nine-passenger seating option, thrust reversers, an upgraded collision avoidance system, and an emergency locator beacon. In 2008, Hawker Beechcraft announced the Hawker 450XP, with all-new Pratt & Whitney PW535Ds. However, economic conditions forced the cancellation of the type in 2009.

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Remanufacturing of the Hawker 400XP

In 2010, Nextant Aerospace, a US-based company specializing in remanufacturing business jets, produced the Hawker 400XP as the Nextant 400XT with new engines, avionics, and interior. Two Williams International FJ44 engines replaced the PW JT15Ds, allowing improved speed, efficiency, and operational range. The type received FAA certification in October 2011.

The Hawker 400XPR

  • Crew: 2 pilots
  • Capacity: 7–9 passengers, 5,600 lb (2,500 kg) useful load
  • Length: 48 ft 5 in (14.76 m)
  • Wingspan: 43 ft 10 in (13.36 m)
  • Height: 13 ft 11 in (4.24 m)
  • Max takeoff weight: 16,300 lb (7,394 kg)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Williams International FJ44-4A-32 turbofan
  • Thrust per engine: 3,200 lbf (14 kN) thrust each
  • Maximum speed: 468 kts (539 mph, 866 km/h)
  • Cruise speed: 447 kts (514 mph, 828 km/h) high-speed cruise, at FL450
  • Range: 2,160 NM (2,490 mi, 4,000 km) at 45,000 ft (13,700 m)
  • Service ceiling: 45,000 ft (13,700 m)
Hawker 400 in flight

The Hawker 400XPR, a factory upgrade, leveraged the improvements of the Nextant 400XT, further boosting hot and high performance with Williams FJ44 engines. The 400XPR performed its first flight in May 2012 and received its FAA-type certification in March 2016. During the occasion, the Senior Vice President of Customer Service at Textron Aviation, Brad Thress, commented,

“We offer the best – and the only factory-approved – upgrade solution for Beechjet 400A/Hawker 400XP owners, significantly improving their aircraft’s performance, operating cost and resale value. Our customers have been extremely impressed with the aircraft’s outstanding performance and we are eager to provide our 400A/400XP owners and operators with the confidence that comes only from an upgrade engineered and supported by the original manufacturer.”

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The first fully configured aircraft was delivered in July 2017. The 400XPR, can be upgraded with high-efficiency winglets featuring, as reported by Textron Aviation,

  • An aerodynamically effective upwardly canted blended airfoil
  • An approximate 2-foot wingspan increase
  • LED position and strobe lighting
  • Installed and painted to match the aircraft’s existing paint scheme, including one base color plus one or two stripes

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