Raytheon Aircraft has secured its first sale of the Hawker 450 light mid-size business jet in Europe, it was announced at the show yesterday. The aircraft is scheduled to enter service in 2006.The £8.4 million ($12.6 million) sale was part of a larger deal in which Rotterdam-based Tulip Air also bought a Beechjet 400A (on display in the static display at the show).
According to Raytheon, the Dutch group selected the Hawker 450 because of its 1.8m stand-up cabin and cost. Size of cabin was also a factor in its choice of the Beechjet 400A.Tulip Air currently flies two Beech King Air B200s in its air charter operations, as well as other aircraft. The Hawker 450 is expected to be delivered in 2006, while the Beechjet 400A at the show will be delivered within 30 days.
Meanwhile Raytheon released Hawker 450 performance guarantees at the show. A standard equipped aircraft with full fuel, two pilots and a 450kg (1,000lb) payload will have a guaranteed range of 3,700km (2,000nm). The aircraft's takeoff field length will be 1,189m (4,700ft) and the guaranteed maximum cruise speed will be 874km/hr (472kt).
Competition
Raytheon launched the Hawker 450 to compete in the popular superlight market sector, dominated by Bombardier and Cessna.
Fitting between the Beechjet 400A and the Hawker 800XP, the 450 will exploit the composite fuselage technology pioneered in Raytheon's Premier 1 light jet.
The aircraft features Honeywell's Primus Epic avionics and Honeywell's TFE731-40 engine.
Source: Flight Daily News
