The Hawker 400XP is a light business jet derived from the Mitsubishi MU-300 Diamond, a clean-sheet Japanese design that first flew in 1978. Beechcraft acquired the program in the early 1980s, refining the aircraft for the U.S. business aviation market before later branding it under the Hawker name. The 400XP represents an incremental but meaningful evolution of the original Hawker 400 platform, focusing on avionics updates, modest performance refinements, and improved dispatch reliability rather than structural redesign.
The Hawker 400XP first flew in 2003, with production beginning shortly thereafter. Manufacturing continued until 2010, when Hawker Beechcraft Corporation discontinued light jet production amid broader corporate restructuring. The aircraft retained the same fundamental airframe, wing design, and systems architecture as earlier variants, preserving the platform’s reputation for predictable handling and short-field capability.
Power is provided by two Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D-5 turbofan engines, each producing approximately 2,965 pounds of thrust. Typical performance figures include a high-speed cruise of roughly 450 knots, a maximum range of approximately 1,400 nautical miles under optimal conditions, and a maximum takeoff weight near 16,300 pounds. Balanced field takeoff distance is approximately 3,900 feet, allowing access to a wide range of regional airports.
The Hawker 400XP typically seats six to seven passengers in a club-style business configuration. Cabin volume is approximately 278 cubic feet, with a cabin height of about 4.8 feet, width near 4.9 feet, and length just under 15 feet. While compact, the cabin supports efficient short- to mid-range business missions with minimal compromise to comfort.
Operationally, the Hawker 400XP is valued for its straightforward maintenance profile, consistent performance, and suitability for owner-operators and fleet environments where predictable operating economics and airport flexibility are priorities.
