Hawker Beechcraft has canceled the Hawker 450XP program, sources close to the program tell FlightBlogger.Poor economic conditions appear to be at the root of the cancellation.
"The [Hawker 400XP/450XP] line rates are taking a huge beating due to deferrals and cancellations," said one source who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
"As far as I know, there is no change in the program," said Andrew Broom, spokesman for Hawker Beechcraft.
The Hawker 450XP light jet was officially launched at the National Business Aviation Association convention in October 2008. First delivery of the aircraft was expected in the first quarter of 2010.The cancellation, if officially confirmed, will be the second of its kind for the 450XP, which saw a previous all-composite iteration shelved in 2002.
The aircraft is an upgraded version of the venerable Hawker 400XP with new Pratt & Whitney Canada PW535D engines and Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics for improved performance.
The Wichita, Kansas based company has recently announced eliminating 2,300 jobs over the next year, and has warned more layoffs may occur in 2009.
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