Hawker 800 (U-125)
Raytheon / Kanematsu · United Kingdom · first flew 1983 · transport aircraft
The Hawker 800, designated U-125 in Japanese service, is a British-designed mid-size business jet used by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force for calibration and search-and-rescue duties.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, swept |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turbofan, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Rear fuselage-mounted turbofans |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Mid-size business jet airframe
- Rear fuselage-mounted turbofans
- Oval cabin windows and pointed nose
Note the low swept wing, two engines set on the rear fuselage, a tailplane mounted partway up the fin and a row of oval cabin windows.
Specifications
- The Hawker 800 (U-125) has a length of 15.6 m (51 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 15.66 m (51 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 830 km/h (516 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Derived from the long-running de Havilland/BAe 125 family, the 800 series first flew in 1983 and was later marketed by Raytheon. Japan acquired the type through the trading house Kanematsu, adapting it to military support roles.
Variants
The flight-inspection U-125 checks navigation aids, while the U-125A is a dedicated search-and-rescue platform with observation windows, a searchlight and dropped survival equipment. Both stem from the civil Hawker 800.
Where you'll see it
The JASDF operates the type from bases across Japan; the wider 125/Hawker family has a long British pedigree and served the RAF as the Dominie navigation trainer.
Related aircraft
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