Hawker 450XP

The original MU-300 Diamond 1 was designed in the late 1970s and introduced in 1980, before the design was bought by Beechcraft in 1984. The Beechjet 400 was certified in 1985, and was followed by the improved 400A in 1990 which included longer range, higher weights and an all-glass flightdeck. A military version of the 400A, designated the T-1A Jayhawk was bought by the USAF as a large aircraft trainer, whilst the Japanese Self Defence Force introduced the similar T-400.

The Beechjet 400A was renamed the Hawker 400A in the late 1990s to align the aircraft with the rest of the Hawker product line, and shortly after, the 400XP, which incorporated aerodynamic, mechanical and interior improvements, was introduced.

The 400, 400A and 400XP have proved popular with owners for their good field performance, high M0.75+ cruise speeds, and large cabin feel, while progressive upgrades made to the aircraft have seen it keep pace with rivals such as the Lear 45 and Citation CJ series. Indeed, the 400XP is claimed to be the world’s most popular fractional ownership aircraft.

But it is the 450XP which will see the biggest changes made to the original design, including new P&WC PW535D turbofan engines, the addition of the Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 integrated avionics system, and a new interior based on the larger 900XP and which will include the Rockwell Collins Venue cabin management system.

“We’ve taken what makes the Hawker 400XP a tremendous success and built upon it with more efficient engines, new interior and the most up-to-date avionics – providing the best light jet value for our customers worldwide,” Hawker Beechcraft Chairman Jim Schuster said at NBAA. “The Hawker 450XP’s improvements ensure that it will continue to lead this dynamic market segment in safety, performance and popularity.”

The P&WC PW535D engines will replace the 400XP’s two JT15D-5Rs. Compared to the JT15D, the new engines are de-rated to produce the same 13.2kN (2965lbs thrust) flat rated to ISA+20°C, but will provide a 38 per cent improvement in Time Between Overhaul (TBO) intervals, have significantly better hot and hig/h performance, a 22 per cent reduction in time to climb to FL370, and a seven per cent better fuel burn which will provide a nine per cent improvement in range to more than 2970km (1605nm) with four passengers.

Inside, the cabin will receive a complete refresh with improved ergonomics, new fabrics and furnishings, re-profiled sidewalls, ceiling panels and window ledges, more storage space, LED lighting throughout, and the new Venue cabin management and entertainment system which includes 25cm individual seat monitors and iPod/,MP3 docks. The cabin can be configured with eight seats in a club layout, or with seven seats with a galley.

Up front, the flight deck will feature the latest Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics suite common to the larger 900XP. The suite will feature three display panels, a dual FMS, Wide-Area Augmentation System (WAAS)-enabled receiver that enable Localiser Performance with Vertical Guidance (LPV) approaches, solid state weather radar, an Integrated Flight Information System (IFIS) with electronic charts and enhanced map overlays, a Traffic Surveillance System (TSS), and an Aircraft Communication Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS) capability.

But perhaps the most impressive on-paper improvements the 450XP will bring are in the aircraft’s promised 76 per cent reduction in Hydrocarbon, 54 per cent reduction in mixed smoke, and 45 per cent reduction in Carbon Monoxide emissions compared to the 400XP.

Hawker Pacific reports that they have some “good mid-term prospects” for the aircraft in our region, adding that it is particularly attractive for those operators wanting to shuttle up and down the Australian east coast or back and forth to New Zealand, and for those who are already in a 400/400A and who are looking to reduce their operating costs by locking in to a guaranteed cost of operations through Hawker Beechcraft’s Support Plus fixed price support program.

In the meantime, Hawker Beechcraft plans to replace the 400XP in production with the 450XP from early 2010. The company hopes to fly the first 450XP by April next year, with FAA certification and first US deliveries scheduled for the second quarter in 2010, and EASA certification and first European deliveries in the third quarter. List prices are expected to start at about US$8m (A$12.33m) and, whilst Hawker Pacific were unable to provide details on the number of 450XPs ordered to date, the fact that the current first production slots available are now in mid 2011 indicates the aircraft is already starting to build a healthy backlog.