MERIGNAC, France - Dassault Aviation has rolled out the initial Falcon 8X long-range business jet at the company's Bordeaux-Merignac facility in France. Announced this past May at the European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (EBACE), the Falcon 8X is a stretched version of the Dassault Falcon 7X.
"Dassault's tradition of innovation and excellence helps explain the success of the Falcon 7X. More than 250 aircraft have been built in the seven years since service introduction, and demand remains strong. We anticipate a similarly bright future for the 8X," said Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation. Final assembly and testing of the 8X occurs at the Charles Lindbergh hall at Merignac. The facility was built to handle production of the Falcon 7X, and the 8X will draw on the same digital design and manufacturing techniques used with the 7X.
Wing mating and engine installation on the first Falcon 8X were completed in July, and first power-up occurred shortly thereafter. Ground tests, including flight control system testing, vibration tests, and fuel system testing, concluded in November. The first engine run-up took place in early December. Dassault said that the aircraft is on track for a maiden flight in the first quarter of 2015.
A total of three aircraft, including one fully outfitted with a cabin interior, will be used in the flight test and certification campaign. Deliveries are expected to begin in the second half of 2016.
With eight passengers and three crew, the Falcon 8X will be capable of flying 6,450 nautical miles at Mach 0.80. The trijet will be powered by an improved version of the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW307 engine that equips the Falcon 7X.
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