03 February 2022

Dassault to spotlight expanding Falcon model line

The cutting edge business jets and regional support network at Singapore Air Show

Dassault Aviation will exhibit its Falcon 8X long-range trijet and ultra-versatile Falcon 2000LXS at the Singapore Air Show which opens February 15. Also on show at the Dassault static display will be a full-scale mockup of its Falcon 6X extra-widebody twin, soon to enter service.

Singapore will also be an ideal opportunity for customers to appreciate the unique capabilities of the company’s revolutionary ultra-long range Falcon 10X, set to join the fleet in 2025.

“Singapore’s dynamism and geographic location make it an ideal venue for showcasing the cutting edge business jets that we offer,” said Dassault Aviation Chairman/CEO Eric Trappier. “We saw great sales activity in the Asia Pacific region last year, especially in Australasia and Southeast Asia, and significant interest across our entire product line.”

The 6,450 nm (11,945 km) Falcon 8X has been a leading seller in the Asia/Pacific since the first aircraft was delivered in the region five years ago. The 8X can fly non-stop from Hong Kong to London, Singapore to Zurich or Beijing to New York yet land at challenging airports like London City. The aircraft’s spacious cabin is the quietest of any business jet on the market.

The 4,000 nm (7,410 km) Falcon 2000LXS has also proven popular with corporate customers in the Asia Pacific region, with more than 40 of the versatile twins currently in service in the region. The 2000LXS offers a short-field capability comparable to smaller midsize business jet models but with a range and comfort level far better than those aircraft. It can fly non-stop from Singapore to Sydney or Singapore to Dubai.

Falcon 6X on track for late 2022 service entry

Equipped with a cabin 2.58 m (102 inches) wide, 1.98 m (6 feet 6 inches) high and 12.30 m (40 feet 4 inches) long, the 5,500 nm (10,200 km) Falcon 6X will fly non-stop from Singapore to Johannesburg, Beijing to San Francisco, or London to Los Angeles. Its advanced technological features include a new-generation Digital Flight Control System designed to control all moving surfaces. In addition to the superior robustness, flying qualities and airport performance typical to the Falcon line, the 6X features the quietest, widest and tallest cabin of any purpose built business jet currently flying.

Falcon 6X development is proceeding smoothly and the aircraft is on target for certification and entry into service by the end of 2022. To date, the three flight test aircraft have cumulated nearly 600 flight hours. First cold soak trials campaign was recently completed and high-speed trials, which test the aircraft beyond its maximum operating speed, are currently underway. The aircraft’s Pratt & Whitney Canada PW812D engine received Canadian certification late last year, with EASA and FAA certification expected to follow shortly.

A fourth production aircraft equipped with a full interior will fly at the end of the first quarter and undertake a round-the-world campaign intended to demonstrate the full maturity of aircraft systems at entry into service. The tour will include multiple stops in the Asia Pacific region. Assembly of other aircraft is in full swing. Aircraft no. 5 was delivered to Dassault’s Little Rock, Arkansas completion center on January 28.

One of the test aircraft was recently detached to the Dassault Falcon Service maintenance base at Paris Le Bourget Airport to help prepare its rapid integration into our global service network. The aircraft also completed several refuelling missions using a sustainable aviation fuel blend.

Falcon 10X - new benchmark in ultra long range sector

The cabin of the ultra-long range Falcon 10X will be 2.77 m (9 feet 1 inch) wide, 2.03 m (6 feet 8 inches) high and 16.4 m (53 feet 10 inches) long—even larger than some regional jets.

The 7,500 nm (13,890 km) range aircraft will fly nonstop from Singapore to London or San Francisco, Shanghai to New York, or Sydney to Los Angeles. It will be equipped with a number of new technologies, including a further iteration of Dassault’s innovative Digital Flight Control System and an ultra-efficient, all-composite wing.

Detailed design for the new jet is now complete and parts production will begin this year. The company is building two new facilities to manufacture parts and components and the composite wing, including a Factory 4.0 smart manufacturing facility near Paris. The 10X will be powered by the latest and most powerful variant of Rolls Royce’s ultra-efficient 18,000+ pounds thrust Pearl engine. The first engine test run is scheduled for later this year. The 10X will enter into service in late 2025.

Meanwhile, Dassault Aviation has been reinforcing the level of maintenance, repair and overhaul service available for the 100-plus Falcons now operating in the Asia Pacific region. The company’s wholly-owned ExecuJet MRO Services unit, acquired in 2019, is building a 144,000 sq. ft. facility in Kuala Lumpur that will more than double capacity at that location. Equipped to handle line and heavy maintenance for the new Falcon 6X and Falcon 10X as well as current in-production and legacy Falcon models, this facility will open in the second half of 2023.

The Kuala Lumpur base recently performed its first C-check on a Falcon 2000LXS, joining ExecuJet MRO facilities in Perth, Sydney and Dubai that are already authorized to perform heavy maintenance on Falcon 2000 and Falcon 900 aircraft. In the second quarter of this year, ExecuJet MRO will open a 163,000 sq. ft. heavy maintenance base at Dubai World Central, adjacent to a recently opened line maintenance base.

Edited by Lisa Maria River
Avion Luxury Magazine

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