New Hawker 800 Series Derivative Grows Winglets

Beginning next January, Raytheon is scheduled to start delivering the winglet-equipped Hawker 850XP, successor to the Hawker 800XPi. Besides what Raytheon Aircraft calls "ramp appeal" the three-foot high winglets will, according to the company, improve airspeed and climb, as well as increase range by 4 percent, or 100 nm. However, the winglet-induced enhancements fall short when compared with Aviation Partners' aftermarket winglets for the Hawker 800 series. Raytheon Aircraft officials told AIN that they had "talked" with Aviation Partners, but decided to go with "our own design. We could have complete control over it and we know our planes better than anyone else." Meanwhile, Raytheon Aircraft announced today that its super-midsize Horizon business jet has been renamed the Hawker 4000, its original product model number. Full FAA certification is expected before year-end, several years later than originally planned. Due to an unexpected 1,745-pound growth in basic operating weight, the Hawker 4000's max range is about 100 nm less than originally planned. Raytheon Aircraft officials told AIN that it is working to find ways to restore that loss.