Dassault Aviation advanced development of two new large-cabin, long-range business jets during the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, both of which are progressing according to plan, Chairman and CEO Eric Trappier told an NBAA-BACE press conference Oct. 11.

“Things may be getting back to normal in society as a whole, but our industry is still in recovery mode,” said Trappier. “Despite the difficult period we have been going through, Dassault has been able to celebrate some major milestones and make some significant achievements these past 12 months, among them the development of two new, exciting Falcon models and the sharp expansion of our service business.”

In May, the French manufacturer unveiled the new 7,500-nm-range Falcon 10X, powered by Rolls-Royce Pearl 10X engines, “[which] seems to have taken the market by surprise,” Trappier said. “The 10X will be the largest business jet on the market—bigger, roomier, quieter and more advanced than any other business jet, yet able to handle like a much smaller aircraft,” he declared. “It will establish a new benchmark for ultra-long-capability.”

Dassault will complete detailed design of the Falcon 10X by year-end and begin parts production next year, Trappier said. It expects the new jet will enter service in 2025.

Last December, Dassault rolled out the first 5,500 nm-range Falcon 6X extra widebody twin from its assembly facility at Bordeaux-Merignac, France. Powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada PW812D turbofans, the Falcon 6X first flew on March 10, 2021. There are now three jets participating in the flight-test program; they have accumulated 300 flight hours over 100 flights. A fourth jet fitted with a full interior will perform a world tour prior to certification to ensure systems are fully mature. Entry into service is expected in late 2022.

Dassault is displaying full-scale cabin mockups of both the Falcon 6X and 10X at Henderson Executive Airport (KHND) during NBAA-BACE.

In response to a question, Trappier offered his thoughts on the new 4,200-nm-range, large-cabin G400 twinjet Gulfstream unveiled earlier this month, which will present competition for Dassault’s 4,000-nm-range Falcon 2000LXS. Gulfstream also unveiled the 8,000-nm-range G800, which it expects to enter service in 2023.

“No. 1, I would like to welcome this new product from Gulfstream,” Trappier said. “No. 2 is, if I understood well what they said, they will not deliver [the G400] before 2025, which is almost the year we will deliver the 10X. The Falcon 2000 is really a standard aircraft which is well appreciated by our customers and still sold everywhere today. Up to now, we will keep the Falcon 2000 in our inventory. For sure, the G400 is a little bit above in terms of range. It’s a little bit above in terms of fuel consumption; it’s a little bit above in terms of pricing.”