Hawker Beechcraft adds second Hawker 400XPR to programme

Hawker Beechcraft Global
Customer Support (GCS) has announced it is accelerating the Hawker 400XPR
development programme by adding a second aircraft. This aircraft will be used
primarily to develop and certify various avionics upgrade options.

“This additional aircraft
allows us to engineer the program’s optional avionics upgrade concurrently with
the Williams International FJ44-4A engine integration,” said Christi Tannahill,
Hawker Beechcraft vice president, GCS. “This will keep the momentum going on
the certification in order to meet the growing demand from our
customers.”   

A number of variations of
Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics are planned for the Hawker 400XPR.
Customers can choose a baseline three-display system or a more advanced
four-display system, along with other enhancements to meet their operational
needs.

The Hawker 400XPR
three-display avionics system is expected to certify this summer at which time
it will be available to all Beechjet 400A and Hawker 400XP aircraft as a stand
alone upgrade. Additional 400XPR avionics variations and options will
follow.

As a Hawker Beechcraft
factory product, all aspects of 400XPR aerodynamics, avionics and propulsion
will be incorporated into the company’s interactive maintenance library and
will be fully supported by its 1,000-employee-strong GCS organization.
   

The Hawker 400XPR, which is
expected to receive certification in 2012, offers greatly improved range and
airfield performance, while reducing noise footprint and emissions by replacing
the existing engines with new, more fuel-efficient Williams International
FJ44-4A-32 dual FADEC high-bypass turbofans. The upgrade also features the
addition of genuine Hawker composite winglets and an optional modernized flight
deck with Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics.