Photo Gallery: Falcon 10X Takes Off

Dassault Aviation has commenced flight testing of its largest business jet yet, the Falcon 10X completing its first flight from Bordeaux-Merignac Airport, France, on June 19 helmed by test pilots Sébastien Dupont de Dinechin and Fabrice Dougnac. The aircraft reached 45,000 ft. altitude and Mach 0.82 on the 2 hr. 30 min flight.

Powered by a pair of Rolls-Royce Pearl 10X turbofans, each producing more than 18,000 lb. of thrust, the Falcon 10X is 109.6 ft. long with a wing span of 110.2 ft., making it the largest Falcon to date. The four-zone cabin is 53.8 ft. long and, at 9.1 ft., the widest in its class. Cabin altitude is 3,000 ft. at 41,000 ft. cruise altitude.

The Falcon 10X is designed to fly 7,500 nm at Mach 0.85, slightly less than the rival Bombardier Global 8000 and Gulfstream G800, but at Mach 0.90 the aircraft will fly farther than its competitors, says Dassault. Maximum operating Mach number is 0.925, making it the fastest Falcon yet, and maximum altitude is 51,000 ft.

Dassault designed the 10X for high speed, while retaining the short-runway performance for which Falcons are famed. The high-aspect-ratio composite wing has high leading-edge sweep and low thickness to minimize drag, with a curved trailing edge for low-speed performance. The nose shape and T-tail also support high speed.

The June 19 first flight from Dassault’s assembly plant at Bordeaux-Merignac Airport launches a test program that is planned to involve three aircraft, the third to be outfitted with a full interior for cabin function and reliability testing. Dassault has not given a date, but entry into service of the Falcon 10X is expected by late 2027.