Today, by most accounts, the Hawker 400 is the most overdeveloped business jet in the world. A total of three different aircraft manufacturers have helped to develop the jet since the 1970’s!
Partly thanks to this, the Hawker has sold 951 copies over a period of 31 years. This makes the most produced business jets in history, ahead of the incredibly popular G650, Cessna Citation XLS and the Global Express family.
Development
In the late 1970’s, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries began to develop new jet-powered business jet as a step up from their turboprop MU-2. Mitsubishi designated this new jet as the MU-300 Diamond.
Mitsubishi would build the MU-300 in the US, in order to fast track FAA approval. However, financial instability forced Mitsubishi to sell the rights and the 11 unfinished airframes to the Beechcraft subsidiary of Raytheon, in 1985.
Beechcraft would then complete the unfinished Diamond prototypes, redesignating them as the Beechjet 400. The Beechjet 400 would receive FAA type certification in May 1986.
In 1990, after selling a number of Beechjet 400s, Beechcraft would developed the Model 400A. This model would end up being the best selling of all the variants of the aircraft.
1993 would see British Aerospace divest itself of its Hawker subsidiary. Hawker would be bought by Raytheon, with Raytheon merging Beechcraft and Hawker to form Hawker Beechcraft.
With this, the Beechjet 400 was added to the Hawker line of jet-powered business jets. As a result of this, the Beechjet 400 was redesignated as the Hawker 400.
A decade later, Hawker would release the improved Model 400XPR, which was larger, had thrust reversers and an emergency locator beacon.
Operational History
Although Mitsubishi originally designed the MU-300 Diamond as a business jet, they, as well as subsequent companies, would receive numerous military orders. All of this has given the MU-300 a rather interesting service history!
Civilian
In May 1986, the jet would receive its type certification from the FAA. By early 1987, the first jets were rolling off the assembly line and being delivered to customers all over the world.
Many of these initial customers were medium-to-large-scale enterprises, who were looking for a jet that could travel transcontinental quite economically. This was both in North American, Asia and Europe.
Due partly to the jet’s success as a corporate jet, a number of executive air charter businesses would also begin to operate the aircraft. Here, they would be chartered to fly between two places on an as-needed basis.
Despite the jet still being very much a 1970’s aircraft, many air charter companies still operate the type. Many of these aircraft are the most recently released variants.
Over the course of the 1990’s, the jet, would become a major contender to short range private jets such as the Cessna Citation family and Learjet 45. They’d also become quite common at private airfields the world over.
At the same time, the concept of fractional ownership would become quite prevalent. Due to the nature of the jet, it became one of the first aircraft these fractional ownership companies offered for sale!
Military
Over the course of the 1970’s and 1980’s, the T-39 had taken on new roles. Originally designed as an executive transport jet (with it later becoming one of the earliest business jets!) it had begun to be used as a basic multiengine jet trainer.
During this time, many of the USAF’s C-141 pilots would be taught on the T-39 before progressing onto the C-141 trainers. However, the USAF didn’t have the T-39s to continue doing this.
As such, the USAF reached out to Beechcraft. They wanted to know if it would be possible to acquire a modified military variant of the Beechjet 400 that could serve as a trainer.
Beechcraft obliged, and began producing a military variant of the Beechjet 400 for the USAF in 1992. The first of these military Beechjet 400s would be delivered in 1992, before entering service in 1993.
The USAF would designate their Beechjet 400s as the Raytheon T-1 Jayhawk.
In 1993, the Japan Air Self Defense Force too wanted the Beechcraft 400 to train their multiengine jet pilots. These would be delivered, and later, enter service in 1994.
However, the JASDF didn’t designate their T-1s the same as the Americans. Instead, they designated theirs as the Raytheon T-400.
Features
When you look at the Hawker/Beechjet 400 compared to its competitors, such as the Premier I, Learjet 35 and Falcon 10, you’ll see that it’s noticeably larger than its competitors, despite remaining in the same class of business jet.
This added size gives the Hawker/Beechjet 400 a number of extra benefits, most notably the ability to carry two extra passengers. However, does mean that you need a crew of two, rather than one for some jets like the Premier I.
Perhaps the most notable feature of the Hawker/Beechjet 400 is its T-tail. Whilst it’s not the only T-tail private jet out there, it’s T-tail is much larger than those of similar jets.
A large part of the Hawker/Beechjet 400’s marketing focused on just how economical it was. Compared to most other aircraft in its class, it’s operating costs were far lower, whilst also being cheaper to acquire!
On top of this, the Hawker/Beechjet 400 often had a much longer range, at times being almost 50% more than its competitors! As well as this, the Hawker often had a faster maximum and cruising speed.
As with all other business jets, the Hawker/Beechjet 400 has an internal baggage hold. This is slightly smaller than those in other business jets, but does lead to a larger internal cabin!
Price
In 2009, just prior to Hawker ceasing production of the type, a brand new jet from hawker would set you back $7.2 million for the basic version or $10.1 million for the XPR version.
With that being said the first MU-300s would role off the assembly line in 1979. Due to this, there are a number of MU-300s on the secondary market.
As of the time of writing, the oldest variants of the Hawker 400/MU-300 are retailing for $500,000. At the same time, the newest Hawkers are retailing for $2.4 million at the most expensive.
The average used Hawker 400 is retailing at a little less than $1.3 million, as of the time of writing. This makes the jet one of the cheapest business jets you could buy!
Assuming that you were flying your jet for 400 hours per year (the current average for corporate use), operating the Hawker will set you back roughly $2,500 per flying hour.
Due to its size and relative cheapness to operate, the jet has become a favorite of air charter companies. Many of them offer the jet starting at around $2,750 per hour, depending on charter airline, route, time of year etc.
Variants
The aircraft we know as the Hawker 400 has been developed and redeveloped numerous times by different companies. Here, many older variants have been retired in favor of newer variants.
Mitsubishi MU-300 Diamond I
The MU-300 Diamond is the most basic variant of the Hawker 400, being designed and built before it was even the Hawker 400! By extension, the MU-300 serves as the basis for all subsequent variants.
It was first built in 1978, being produced until the mid-1980’s, where its production ceased in favor of newer variants. In total 91 MU-300s were built, including the two prototypes.
Despite being almost 50 years old, there are around 50 MU-300s still in use around the world. Most of these are in corporate hands most often in developing nations.
Mitsubishi MU-300-10 Diamond II
In the early 1980’s, Mitsubishi began to redevelop its MU-300 in order to remain competitive with its competitors’ jets. This jet was designated as the MU-300-10 Diamond.
The MU-300-10 had newer engines and a larger fuel tank. This gave it an increased range and higher cruising speed. Mitsubishi built 11 MU-300-10s before selling them to Beechcraft.
Upon receiving them, they were designated as the Beechjet 400 by Beechcraft. A further 75 Beechjet 400s would be developed before Beechjet stopped producing the standard Beechjet 400.
Hawker 400A
Following Beechcraft’s acquisition of the MU-300 prototypes, they’d begin development of an improved variant. This would be designated as the Beechjet 400A, and eventually the Hawker 400A, and later the 400XP.
Beechcraft lengthened the fuselage, added newer engines with thrust reversers. The lengthened fuselage gave the 400A the option to seat nine passengers, rather than seven, and have a larger internal fuel tank.
Due to this, the 400A had a much longer range, which was perfect for many corporations. As such, the 400A sold well over 550 times, helping the Hawker 400 to become one of the most produced business jets in history!
Hawker 400XPR
In 2009, Hawker had cease production of all their business jets due to the stagnating economic. By 2012, many operators of the 400XP (previously the 400A) began demanding either a new jet entirely, or a better variant.
Not wanting to do either, but still keep its customers happy, Hawker devised a solution. It would offer a factory upgrade for the 400XP that would make the 400XP more fuel efficient and luxurious.
This would be designated as the 400XPR. It would have an all-new designed interior, new avionics, winglets, engines and better handling. This shaved 20% off operating costs and increased the range by 33%.
T-1A Jayhawk
In 1991, the US Air Force approached Beechcraft (who produced the aircraft at the time) about a potential military trainer variant of their Beechjet 400. Beechcraft were interested and soon began partnering with its parent company, Raytheon.
Beechcraft would built the shell of the aircraft, before sending them to Raytheon. From here, Raytheon would add in new avionics and other equipment in order to help train multiengine flight crews.
The first of these aircraft entered service in 1993, being designated as the Raytheon T-1 Jayhawk by the USAF. These are used to train pilots who will eventually go on to fly large multiengine aircraft like the C-5, C-32 and C-40 among others.
T-400
In 1993, the Japan Air Self Defense Force were also interested in the newly renamed Hawker 400 for the same reasons the Americans had been. As such, they too contacted Raytheon about acquiring the T-1 Jayhawk too.
After gaining Congressional approval, the JASDF purchased thirteen T-1s from Raytheon. The JASDF would designate their T-1s as the Raytheon T-400, as an homage to the Hawker/Beechjet 400.
However, the JASDF would order certain adjustments be made from the American T-1s. Perhaps the most noticeable adjustment was the addition of newer, more fuel efficient engines, as well as the addition of larger fuel tanks.
Specifications
| Specifications | Hawker 400XPR |
|---|---|
| Length | 48 ft 5 in (14.76 m) |
| Wingspan | 43 ft 10 in (13.36 m) |
| Height | 13 ft 11 in (4.24 m) |
| Crew | 2 |
| Passengers | 7-9 |
| Speed | 828 km/h (514 mph, 447 kn) |
| Range | 4,000 km (2,490 mi, 2,160 nmi) |
| Service Ceiling | 45,000 ft (13,700 m) |
| MTOW | 16,300 lb (7,394 kg) |
How Safe is The Hawker 400?
Generally, whenever we talk about the safest and/or the most dangerous aircraft on the planet, we only ever talk about commercial jets like the A320 and 737. Unless they’re the focus of the article, we always forget business jets!
This is often done deliberately, for a number of different reasons, however, there are two main ones.
The first is that the maintenance laws for private jets and commercial jets often differ from country to country, even among different Western nations. Just because X airline has to do X to their 747, doesn’t mean that I have to do the same to my private jet!
Secondly, is that the overwhelming majority of people will never fly on a private jet. For most of them, private jets are just too expensive, and are more like a dream than something they’ll ever get to do.
In terms of the Hawker 400’s safety record, you’ll find that it is quite safe. Despite its service history dating back to the late 1970’s, as well as serving as a military jet, the type has never had a crash (as of the time of writing!)
This makes the Hawker not only one of the safest private jets, but also one of the safest aircraft in general. Chances are, that if you take a private jet flight on the Hawker tomorrow, that it will not crash.
On top of this, the Hawker has been free of design flaws and other freak accidents, something that is quite rare for a jet this old.
What’s it Like to Fly on The Hawker 400?
Thankfully, due mostly to jobs I have help previously, I have had the good fortune to fly on the Hawker 400 on multiple occasions. This has allowed me to fly on multiple variants of the aircraft.
In fact, the Hawker 400 was one of the first private jets I ever flew on!
Over a course of 12 years, I flew on just about every civilian variant of the Hawker/Beechjet 400/MU-300 ever developed. For me, I have found that the Hawker 400 is one of the better business jets I’ve flown on.
Generally speaking, whenever I fly, I like to work. On commercial jets, even in business or first class, I tend to find this rather difficult for some reason. However, when I was aboard the 400, I found it incredibly easy to work!
I often found that the flight was incredibly smooth, often without the little bumps that plague many other private jets. Perhaps this was down to the piloting, however, I’d have said it was at least partly down to the aircraft itself.
On many of these flights, we were discussing the future of the company or a future brand etc. On other business jets, we ended up huddling around one area. However, the 400, this wasn’t necessary.
Looking back on the flights, after having flown on numerous other business jets, I have found that the 400 is incredibly comfy, especially for its size. Despite being a light jet, its interior is akin to a mid-size or large jet!
What do you think of the Hawker 400? Have you ever flown on it? Tell me in the comments!