The Hawker 400XPR engine test article made a successful first flight this week, paving the way for certification of the upgraded jet this September, Hawker Beechcraft announced.
The dual Williams International FJ44-4A-32 engines slated to power the new 400XPR – announced last year – will provide 470 pounds of additional combined thrust over that provided by the Pratt & Whitney turbofans in the 400XP.
The 400XPR will also feature Hawker winglets and optional Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics.
According to Hawker, the 400XPR’s technology improvements give it an edge not only in power – the company boasts that the XPR can climb to FL370 at maximum takeoff weight in just 12 minutes – but also in fuel efficiency, reduced noise and lower carbon emissions.
News of the program’s recent milestone comes on the heels of Hawker Beechcraft’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing last Thursday. The company’s major lenders agreed on a restructuring deal that includes $400 million in financing and will eliminate around $2.5 billion in debt.
