Dassault's largest-ever private jet can fly up to 7,500 nautical miles and has fighter jet tech- meet the $75 million Falcon 10X
Dassault Aviation's new Falcon 10X private jet.© Dassault Aviation - Droits Réservés
- Dassault Aviation unveiled a new jet to compete with Gulfstream and Bombardier's heavy-hitters.
- The Falcon 10X features a 7,500 nautical mile range and the widest cabin of any competitor.
- Its cockpit features fighter jet features, touchscreen systems, and digital fly-by-wire technology.
Dassault Aviation is finally catching up to its competitors.
Dassault Aviation's new Falcon 10X private jet.
© Dassault Aviation - Droits Réservés
The French aircraft manufacturer just unveiled the latest in its line of Falcon business jets, including its $75 million flagship, the Falcon 10X.
Dassault Aviation's new Falcon 10X private jet.
© Dassault Aviation - Droits Réservés
The largest and widest business aircraft that Dassault has ever produced, the Falcon 10X aims to be a long-range leader after the company fell behind competitors Bombardier and Gulfstream in the ultra-long-range category.
Dassault Aviation's new Falcon 10X private jet.
© Dassault Aviation - Droits Réservés
The Falcon 8X, Dassault's current flagship, for example, only has a top range of 6,450 nautical miles, more than 1,000 nautical miles shy of its competitor's top products.
A Dassault Falcon 8X performs at the 53rd International Paris Air Show at Le Bourget Airport near Paris, France June 19, 2019.
Pascal Rossignol/REUTERS
A range of 7,500 nautical miles on the Falcon 10X, however, firmly puts Dassault back in the game.
Dassault Aviation's new Falcon 10X private jet.
© Dassault Aviation - Droits Réservés
Source: Dassault Aviation
Bombardier's Global 7500, alternatively, has a top range of 7,700 nautical miles.
A VistaJet Bombardier Global 7500.
VistaJet
And Gulfstream's G700, which has not yet achieved certification, can fly 7,500 nautical miles.
A cabin mockup of Gulfstream's G700.
David Becker/Reuters
Step into the cabin of the Falcon 10X.
Dassault Aviation's new Falcon 10X private jet.
© Dassault Aviation - Droits Réservés
An aircraft intended to fly for more than 15 hours needs to be, at the very least, comfortable. At nine feet and one inch, the Falcon 10X's cabin is the widest of any of the ultra-long-range business jets from Dassault, Gulfstream, and Bombardier.
Dassault Aviation's new Falcon 10X private jet.
© Dassault Aviation - Droits Réservés
Rival aircraft top out at eight feet and two inches, the width of the Gulfstream G700.
Dassault Aviation's new Falcon 10X private jet.
© Dassault Aviation - Droits Réservés
The Falcon 10X also boasts the tallest cabin among its competitors with a height of six feet and eight inches.
Dassault Aviation's new Falcon 10X private jet.
© Dassault Aviation - Droits Réservés
The cabin can be divided into four areas, each with unique touches. "Comfort and productivity" were guiding principles in designing the living areas, Carlos Brana, Dassault's executive vice president for civil aviation, told Insider.
Dassault Aviation's new Falcon 10X private jet.
© Dassault Aviation - Droits Réservés
Source: Dassault Aviation
Seat pairs, for example, still feature tray tables but they are individualized as to not bother the seat neighbor. They can be also brought together if need be.
Dassault Aviation's new Falcon 10X private jet.
© Dassault Aviation - Droits Réservés
Source: Dassault Aviation
A staple on any wide-cabin private jet, the Falcon 10X also features a dining and conference area that can be used for meals or meetings.
Dassault Aviation's new Falcon 10X private jet.
© Dassault Aviation - Droits Réservés
Even the galley kitchen is used as a living area, with the crew rest area doubling as a seat. Unlike other private jets, two windows illuminate the kitchen with natural light and open the space that's traditionally reserved as a work area for cabin attendants.
Dassault Aviation's new Falcon 10X private jet.
© Dassault Aviation - Droits Réservés
Source: Dassault Aviation
An entertainment suite acts as a retreat to unwind on longer flights, complete with a divan and wide-screen television.
Dassault Aviation's new Falcon 10X private jet.
© Dassault Aviation - Droits Réservés
The bedroom is located at the rear of the aircraft as an onboard retreat. The extra width of the cabin allows for a queen-size bed to fit in the room.
Dassault Aviation's new Falcon 10X private jet.
© Dassault Aviation - Droits Réservés
Source: Dassault Aviation
Aircraft owners can also opt for another seat in the bedroom to act as an office or a private setting for meals. "We created an apartment, a penthouse in the sky," Agnès Gervais, Dassault's head of industrial design, said.
Dassault Aviation's new Falcon 10X private jet.
© Dassault Aviation - Droits Réservés
Source: Dassault Aviation
Attached to the master bedroom is an en suite bathroom, complete with a walk-in shower, further establishing the notion of a flying apartment.
Dassault Aviation's new Falcon 10X private jet.
© Dassault Aviation - Droits Réservés
Source: Dassault Aviation
With 19 windows on each side of the aircraft, there will be no shortage of natural light.
Dassault Aviation's new Falcon 10X private jet.
© Dassault Aviation - Droits Réservés
In order to mitigate jet lag and other adverse effects of long hours in a plane, the jet's cabin humidity and pressure levels can be the same at 41,000 feet as they feel at 3,000 feet.
Dassault Aviation's new Falcon 10X private jet.
© Dassault Aviation - Droits Réservés
Source: Dassault Aviation
Fresh, filtered air will also be flowing through the cabin. "Our goal is to make sure that when [passengers] exit the airplane, they are fresh, rested, relaxed, and they can go to the next stage of their trip," Brana said.
Dassault Aviation's new Falcon 10X private jet.
© Dassault Aviation - Droits Réservés
Source: Dassault Aviation
In the cockpit, touchscreen technology is widely used with Honeywell Aerospace's Primus Epic avionics suite. Multi-touch functionality allows two pilots to use the same screen at once.
Dassault Aviation's new Falcon 10X private jet.
© Dassault Aviation - Droits Réservés
Four high-definition displays give pilots information and are flanked by flight computers. Honeywell Aerospace also provided a lot of safety features including synthetic vision, airport moving maps, and a runway overrun awareness system.
Dassault Aviation's new Falcon 10X private jet.
© Dassault Aviation - Droits Réservés
Dassault was also able to use technology found on its Rafale fighter jet aircraft in the Falcon 10X.
A French Air Force Dassault Rafale.
Logtnest/Shutterstock.com
Engine thrust is controlled by a single lever, despite the aircraft having two engines, just like on the Rafale
Dassault Aviation's new Falcon 10X private jet.
© Dassault Aviation - Droits Réservés
And pilots have heads-up displays that can help navigate through poor weather.
Dassault Aviation's new Falcon 10X private jet.
© Dassault Aviation - Droits Réservés
Side-stick controls have replaced standard control yokes, and the Falcon 10X also features digital fly-by-wire controls to improve safety. A button on each side of the cockpit can steady the plane in the event of unusual turbulence.
Dassault Aviation's new Falcon 10X private jet.
© Dassault Aviation - Droits Réservés
Both cockpit seats are also designed to lay fully flat to form a bed and eventually act as a crew rest area for one of the pilots. That's not allowed just yet as two pilots have to be flying at all times, but increased automation is leading to fewer pilots being needed in the cockpit in the future.
Dassault Aviation's new Falcon 10X private jet.
© Dassault Aviation - Droits Réservés
"Our objective is to drastically reduce workload while still be able to adapt to the challenges of air traffic control," Philippe Duchateau, Dassault's chief test pilot, said.
Dassault Aviation's new Falcon 10X private jet.
© Dassault Aviation - Droits Réservés
Powering the Falcon 10X are two Rolls-Royce Perl 10X engines producing more than 18,000 pounds of thrust each and offering a top speed of Mach .925.
Dassault Aviation's new Falcon 10X private jet.
© Dassault Aviation - A. Daste
Source: Dassault Aviation
It's the first time that Dassault has called upon Rolls-Royce for Falcon jet aircraft engine. "We strongly believe that Rolls-Royce has the right competencies, the right technology in order to design this engine to be fitted for us," Éric Trappier, Dassault's chief executive officer, said.
Dassault Aviation's new Falcon 10X private jet.
© Dassault Aviation - A. Daste
Source: Dassault Aviation
Aiding the aircraft's aerodynamic performance is its wing design. Dassault needed it to be effective at high speeds during cruise flight, and also at low speeds when accessing smaller airports.
Dassault Aviation's new Falcon 10X private jet.
© Dassault Aviation
Source: Dassault Aviation
As a result, the carbon-fiber wings were swept back further and the wingspan increased.
Dassault Aviation's new Falcon 10X private jet.
© Dassault Aviation - A. Daste
Source: Dassault Aviation
Every city pair in the world is accessible with just one stop and non-stop city pairs include long flights like New York-Johannesburg, South Africa; Paris, France-Santiago, Chile; and Hong Kong-Atlanta, meaning fewer stops for travelers.
Dassault Aviation's new Falcon 10X private jet.
© Dassault Aviation - A. Daste
Source: Dassault Aviation
"We put the bar very high, at the top," Trappier said.
Dassault Aviation's new Falcon 10X private jet.
© Dassault Aviation - A. Daste
Source: Dassault Aviation
The Falcon 10X's entry into service is planned for late 2025.
Dassault Aviation's new Falcon 10X private jet.
© Dassault Aviation - A. Daste
Source: Dassault Aviation
READ MORE ARTICLES ON
Get your weekly dose of essential news delivered right to you, plus explore a world of insights with our diverse newsletter subscription options.
- Weekly newsletter
- Uncover the latest in Tech, Finance, Business, and more
- Handpicked web stories, in-depth articles, and expert analyses
Advertisement