EBACE-Dassault Aviation is forging ahead with the development of its new flagship business jet, the Falcon 10X, which is slated to enter into service in 2027. The 10X will feature a 7,500-nm range and a top speed of Mach 0.925, placing it at the forefront of the ultra-long-range business jet category.
At EBACE, Dassault Aviation revealed a full-scale mockup of its Falcon 10X, complete with its flight deck and a comfortable 53-foot-long cabin. The display was a sneak peek into the aircraft’s sumptuous interior and high-tech features.
Pandemic Delays and Supply Chain Problems
Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation, told reporters at EBACE that he realizes the pandemic, coupled with the ongoing supply chain problems, has delayed the project. Undeterred by this, Trappier highlighted how confident he was with the revised timeline: “We are now confident that [2027] should work.”
After the Falcon 6X certification, the company revised the estimates for the Falcon 10X and set a new development schedule.
Progress of Major Assemblies
Dassault and its partners have completed the first examples of major assemblies for the Falcon 10X, including all-composite wings, fuselage, and empennage sections. The parts will enter final assembly at Dassault’s Bordeaux-Mérignac facility later this year.
Engine Testing and Performance
Initial flight testing of the Rolls-Royce Pearl 10X engine-the powerplant selected for the Falcon 10X-has begun on a Boeing 747. According to Trappier, to date, the engine has accumulated around 10 flights, combined with 2,500 hours of ground testing and 7,700 cycles. Dassault also reported that the Pearl 10X has ground tested on 100 percent sustainable aviation fuel, in line with its pledge to be eventually carbon neutral.
Full Systems Testing Meanwhile, Carlos Brana, Executive Vice President Civil Aircraft for Dassault Aviation, underlined the ongoing test campaign on the systems for the Falcon 10X. The company has conducted an approximate 4,500-hour test on such critical systems as hydraulics, landing gear, and brakes.
Innovative Cabin and Flight Deck Features
Once certified, the Falcon 10X will have the capacity to carry 19 passengers and boast the largest cabin ever built for business aviation at an astonishing 6 feet 8 inches tall and 9 feet 1 inch wide. The cabin’s modular design allows customers to choose configurations that include an expanded dining/conference area, an entertainment zone with a large-screen monitor, and a master suite with a private stand-up shower. The Falcon 10X will be able to link major city pairs such as London to Buenos Aires, Los Angeles to Jeddah, and Geneva to Singapore. That advanced Honeywell Epic-powered Easy IV flight deck will integrate a number of new safety enhancements: touch-screen displays, a single-lever Smart Throttle, and an automatic recovery mode. With Dassault Aviation forging ahead with the Falcon 10X, it is well-placed to raise the stakes in the business aviation segment once more, marrying performance and comfort with some seriously advanced tech.