Hawker 400

The Hawker 400 (also known as the Mitsubishi MU-300 Diamond and Beechjet 400) is a light business jet. Initially designed and produced by the Japanese conglomerate Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, it has been further developed and updated by the American company Beech Aircraft Company, now part of Textron Aviation. Development was launched by Mitsubishi as the MU-300 Diamond during the 1970s as a jet-powered companion to its existing Mitsubishi MU-2. Performing its maiden flight on August 29, 1978; however, the certification process was protracted due to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) being more cautious following the loss of American Airlines Flight 191. The Diamond was cleared to enter service in on November 6, 1981. Production proceeded at Mitsubishi's US-based subsidiary.