Hawker 400

Planform view, showing wing sweep

It is a small, low-winged twin-turbofan aircraft of all metal construction, flown by a crew of two pilots and accommodating eight passengers in a pressurised cabin. Its wings use a computer designed, supercritical airfoil in order to minimise drag. Its two Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D turbofans are mounted on the rear fuselage.[5][6]

Powered by JT15D-5/-5R, it 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) but the average passengers are three, it can fly six passengers 1,100 nmi (2,000 km)[1]

The aircraft was originally designed as the Mitsubishi MU-300 Diamond, an all-new, all-jet development to complement and slot above the Mitsubishi MU-2 and provide Mitsubishi Heavy Industries with their top-of-the-line corporate aircraft model (hence the name "Diamond").[7] It first flew on August 29, 1978.[8] Mitsubishi went on to produce 97 MU-300s, all of which were assembled by the company's United States subsidiary.[9]

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 the Beechjet 400, certificated by the Federal Aviation Administration in May 1986.[10] Raytheon/Beechcraft developed improvements for the 1990 400A for longer range, higher take-off weights, luxury appointments and offering an all-glass flight deck.

Beechcraft developed the T-1 Jayhawk version for the United States Air Force, used as a trainer for crew of large aircraft like tankers and strategic transports: 180 were delivered between 1992 and 1997. The Japan Air Self-Defense Force 400T trainer shares the T1-A Type certificate.[10]

In 1993, Raytheon purchased the Hawker business jets from British Aerospace and renamed the Beechjet 400 as the Hawker 400 to include it in the line. The Hawker 400XP incorporated aerodynamic, mechanical and interior improvements from the Hawker 800XP. In October 2008, Hawker Beechcraft upgraded it as the Hawker 450XP including new, more fuel efficient Pratt & Whitney PW535Ds with 2,965 pounds of thrust each, but it was canceled in June 2009 due to poor economic conditions.[11]

Nextant Aerospace re-manufactured it as the 400XT, replacing the JT15Ds with Williams FJ44s and adding new avionics and interior. It was FAA-certified in October 2011.[12] 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, like Falcon 20s reengined with TFE731s.[1]

Front view, showing its T-tail

The type is used by many corporate and private users, it is also used by air-taxi and air charter companies.

In 2014, most were U.S. registered, a majority with single aircraft operators. Flight Options and Travel management co. were its largest operators as NetJets 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 178 T-1A Jayhawks. Charter and fractional operators fly at least 800 to 900 hours per year while most corporate operators fly 300 to 400 hours.[1]

In 2014, 400A values range from $500,000 for mid-time 1990 models to $1.3 million for 2003 models, a 2004 Hawker 400XP commands about $1.5 million and last 2010 models were listed at least for $2.5 million.[1]

Beechjet 400A on ramp

JASDF T-400 inflight formation

Mitsubishi MU-300 Diamond I

Initial model. Two prototypes and 89 production aircraft built,[13] 56 in active use as of 2014.[14]

Mitsubishi MU-300-10 Diamond II

Improved version of Diamond I; 11 built, all subsequently redesignated as Beechjet 400s.[10]

Beechcraft Model 400 Beechjet

The Diamond II built after Beechcraft bought the MU-300 production rights from Mitsubishi. 54 built in addition to the original 11 Diamond IIs.[10]

Model 400A

Upgraded model, initially produced as the Beechcraft Beechjet 400A, then Raytheon Beechjet 400A, then Raytheon Hawker 400XP, then Hawker Beechcraft Hawker 400XP. One prototype converted from Model 400 and 593 built as of the end of 2009.[10][15]

Model 400T

Military version of the Model 400A, 180 built for the United States Air Force as the T-1 Jayhawk and 13 built for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.[10][16] In Japanese service they are referred to as T-400.

Hawker 400XPR

A factory engineered and supported upgrade first flown May 2012. The conversion features new avionics, interior, winglets, and Williams FJ44-4A-32 engines.[17] The first fully configured was delivered on July 20, 2017, the upgrade can be performed in 12 weeks with a choice of Rockwell Collins Pro Line 4 to 21 or Garmin G5000 avionics, it provides 33% more range to 2,160 nmi (4,000 km) with four passengers, better hot and high performance and a 19 min climb to FL450 at max takeoff weight.[18]

Data from Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1999/2000[19]

General characteristics

• Crew: 2 pilots
• Capacity: 7–9 passengers and 5,850 lb (2,653 kg) useful load
• Length: 48 ft 5 in (14.76 m)
• Wingspan: 43 ft 6 in (13.26 m)
• Height: 13 ft 11 in (4.24 m)
• Wing area: 241.4 sq ft (22.43 m²)
• Empty weight: 10,050 lb (4,558 kg)
• Max takeoff weight: 16,100 lb (7,303 kg)
• Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D-5 turbofan, 2,900 lbf (13 kN) thrust each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 468 kn (539 mph, 866 km/h) (Mach 0.78 M_MO)
• Cruise speed: 443 kn (510 mph, 820 km/h) at 23,000 ft (7,000 m)
• Stall speed: 92 kn (106 mph, 171 km/h) (full flaps)
• Range: 1,693 nmi (1,949 mi, 3,135 km) at 45,000 ft (13,700 m)
• Service ceiling: 45,000 ft (13,700 m)
• Rate of climb: 3,770 ft/min (19.2 m/s)

Related development

• T-1 Jayhawk
• Nextant 400XT

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

• Beechcraft Premier I
• Cessna Citation II/V
• Cessna CitationJet CJ3/CJ4
• Dassault Falcon 10
• Embraer Phenom 300
• Learjet 25/31/35

Related lists

• List of civil aircraft

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Hawker 400

• Hawker 400XP on the Hawker website