Development and testing of Dassault’s 7,500-nm, Mach 0.925-capable Falcon 10X is proceeding apace. Primary parts for the 19-passenger ultra-long-range jet are now in production, as well as long-lead elements such as the landing gear. Key systems and components are now undergoing rigorous tests at various Dassault and supplier locations.
Among them is the all-composite wing. The wing test article, known as the LNX, has now completed 10,000 equivalent flight cycles, while the flight simulator bench at Dassault’s development center in St Cloud has conducted 300 representative “flights.”
Two multi-system bench rigs are located at Istres in southern France and the fuel system is being put through its paces. Engine provider Rolls-Royce has reported encouraging results from tests of the new Pearl 10X turbofan, which is due to begin in-flight trials aboard a Boeing 747 in the second half of this year.
The Falcon 10X introduces a new flight deck known as NeXus. It is a development of the Falcon 8X’s Honeywell-based EASy IV suite but introduces several new features, notably the Smart Throttle, which integrates power control into the digital flight control system and autopilot. A 2.9-meter cabin width and modular cabin concept set the Falcon 10X apart from its competitors, claims Dassault. Carlos Brana, Dassault’s executive v-p of civil aircraft, said that the majority of interest is aimed at a four-cabin layout with bathroom facilities.
At the time of launch, the certification date for the Falcon 10X was projected as the end of 2025, but Dassault (Booth Z72, Static AD_02) is now unwilling to put a firm date on when approval might be expected. The primary reason, explained CEO and chairman Eric Trappier, is continuing problems with the supply chain, which he claimed were “worse now than a year ago.” The company is working hard to alleviate the problem, but Trappier could not give any assurances on when the industry-wide issue might improve.
In the meantime, Dassault’s current focus is on getting the 5,500-nm wide-cabin Falcon 6X into service. The aircraft has performed 1,480 flight hours in 580 flights and has completed all certification flying. The results and paperwork are all lodged with EASA, and certification is expected “within weeks,” said Trappier. The first aircraft is in Dassault’s completion facility at Little Rock, Arkansas, and the training program is getting underway.
The first EASA- and FAA-qualified full-flight simulator has been installed at CAE Burgess Hill in England, and theoretical maintenance training began at CAE Mérignac in April. A second facility is to open in the U.S. in the coming weeks. The Dassault Training Academy is due to begin practical maintenance training in June.