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  4. French aircraft maker Dassault just unveiled a new $47 million private jet that can fly 5,500 nautical miles - take a look at the Falcon 6X

French aircraft maker Dassault just unveiled a new $47 million private jet that can fly 5,500 nautical miles - take a look at the Falcon 6X

Thomas Pallini   

French aircraft maker Dassault just unveiled a new $47 million private jet that can fly 5,500 nautical miles - take a look at the Falcon 6X
A rendering of the Dassault Falcon 6X.Dassault Aviation
  • Dassault Aviation unveiled its newest private jet on Tuesday with the Falcon 6X joining the famed Falcon family.
  • The $47 million jet can fly up to 5,500 nautical miles at speeds of up to Mach .90 while also accessing challenging airports with ease.
  • Dassault incorporated the technology it uses for its military aircraft to make the 6X easier and safer for pilots.

Dassault Aviation unveiled its latest private jet on Tuesday in a virtual event streamed from its production plant in Merignac, France near Bordeaux.

The Falcon 6X is the newest member to join the famed Dassault Falcon family that's been flying for over half a century, starting in the 1960s with the Falcon Mystere 20. Dassault crafted the 6X to be an "ultra widebody" business jet, not to be confused with Airbus' "xtra wide-body" A350 airliner, and offers a wider cabin than anything from transatlantic rivals Gulfstream and Bombardier.

Ultra-long-range aircraft are in high demand right now as wealthy buyers are looking to scoop up aircraft for when the world opens for international travel. The pandemic has soured the wealthy jet set on commercial aviation and has turned a great deal of them into private flyers and even aircraft owners.

The Falcon 6X can quite easily cross continents and oceans for more non-stop journeys, increasing the health and safety benefits of flying private that also includes access to private terminals and executive airports.

Read more: Airline workers have lower rates of COVID-19 than the general population - and airline CEOs say it's proof that flying is safe

And now that it's been unveiled, Dassault will test and certify the aircraft for a 2022 entry into service following its first flight in 2021, as Aviation International News reported.

Take a closer look at the Dassault Falcon 6X.

Dassault first announced the 6X program in 2018 after canceling a similar jet program for the planned Falcon 5X due to engine issues.

Dassault first announced the 6X program in 2018 after canceling a similar jet program for the planned Falcon 5X due to engine issues.
The unveiling of the Dassault Falcon 6X.      Dassault Aviation

The new aircraft built upon the lessons learned and data acquired while developing the 5X and the result was a larger aircraft that could fly further than the canceled jet.

The new aircraft built upon the lessons learned and data acquired while developing the 5X and the result was a larger aircraft that could fly further than the canceled jet.
The unveiling of the Dassault Falcon 6X.      Dassault Aviation

One noticeable difference between the Falcon 6X and Dassault's other business jets right off the bat is the lack of a third engine.

One noticeable difference between the Falcon 6X and Dassault
A rendering of the Dassault Falcon 6X.      Dassault Aviation

It's the second twin-engine jet currently in production at Dassault behind the Falcon 2000, seen here.

It
A Dassault Falcon 2000.      Aviation-images.com/Universal Images Group/Getty

Pratt & Whitney developed the PW812D engine, offering up to 14,000 pounds of thrust more efficiently than previous generation engines to help keep fuel costs down.

Pratt & Whitney developed the PW812D engine, offering up to 14,000 pounds of thrust more efficiently than previous generation engines to help keep fuel costs down.
The unveiling of the Dassault Falcon 6X.      Dassault Aviation

Here's a closer look at the engine.

Here
A rendering of the Dassault Falcon 6X's Pratt & Whitney PW812D engine.      Dassault Aviation

And despite having only two engines, the Falcon 6X still boasts a top speed of Mach .90, the same as the tri-engine Falcon 8X.

And despite having only two engines, the Falcon 6X still boasts a top speed of Mach .90, the same as the tri-engine Falcon 8X.
A rendering of the Dassault Falcon 6X.      Dassault Aviation

But going fast isn't its only trick as the 6X has an approach speed of 109 knots, allowing it to access airports with short runways or steep approaches including Santa Monica Airport in California or London City Airport in the UK.

But going fast isn
A rendering of the Dassault Falcon 6X.      Dassault Aviation

With a range of 5,500 nautical miles, city pairs including Los Angeles-Moscow, New York-Tel Aviv, and London-Hong Kong are also firmly in reach, making it the third longest-ranged jet in the Falcon family.

With a range of 5,500 nautical miles, city pairs including Los Angeles-Moscow, New York-Tel Aviv, and London-Hong Kong are also firmly in reach, making it the third longest-ranged jet in the Falcon family.
A rendering of the Dassault Falcon 6X.      Dassault Aviation

And that's while flying above most commercial jet traffic with a top altitude of 51,000 feet.

And that
A rendering of the Dassault Falcon 6X.      Dassault Aviation

Inside the jet, 16 passengers can sit comfortably in the 40.4-foot cabin spread across three distinct living areas.

Inside the jet, 16 passengers can sit comfortably in the 40.4-foot cabin spread across three distinct living areas.
A rendering of the Dassault Falcon 6X.      Dassault Aviation

The first area is the club suite, a staple of any private jet featuring four seats in a two-pair configuration.

The first area is the club suite, a staple of any private jet featuring four seats in a two-pair configuration.
A rendering of the Dassault Falcon 6X.      Dassault Aviation

Each pair is on opposite sides of the 8.5-foot wide cabin, allowing for a large aisle in the middle. This is where the ultra widebody name comes in as the 6X has a wider cabin than anything from Gulfstream or Bombardier.

Each pair is on opposite sides of the 8.5-foot wide cabin, allowing for a large aisle in the middle. This is where the ultra widebody name comes in as the 6X has a wider cabin than anything from Gulfstream or Bombardier.
A rendering of the Dassault Falcon 6X.      Dassault Aviation

Moving back in the plane, the next section is the dining and conference area.

Moving back in the plane, the next section is the dining and conference area.
A rendering of the Dassault Falcon 6X.      Dassault Aviation

The section is typically found on wide-cabin private jets and features a large table that can be used for work or to dine.

The section is typically found on wide-cabin private jets and features a large table that can be used for work or to dine.
A mockup of the Dassault Falcon 6X.      Dassault Aviation

Opposite the table is a credenza that can be used to store cabin items and hold food items during the meal service.

Opposite the table is a credenza that can be used to store cabin items and hold food items during the meal service.
A rendering of the Dassault Falcon 6X.      Dassault Aviation

In the back of the plane is the lounging area with two divans that can be easily turned into beds for the longer flights of which the 6X is capable.

In the back of the plane is the lounging area with two divans that can be easily turned into beds for the longer flights of which the 6X is capable.
A rendering of the Dassault Falcon 6X.      Dassault Aviation

The two-divan configuration also helps increase the passenger count with each seating up to four passengers.

The two-divan configuration also helps increase the passenger count with each seating up to four passengers.
A rendering of the Dassault Falcon 6X.      Dassault Aviation

The jet features an interesting interior in that there are fewer spaces that are truly private.

The jet features an interesting interior in that there are fewer spaces that are truly private.
A rendering of the Dassault Falcon 6X.      Dassault Aviation

Customers can opt for clear dividers between sections that create a more open feel.

Customers can opt for clear dividers between sections that create a more open feel.
A mockup of the Dassault Falcon 6X.      Dassault Aviation

Natural light was a big feature in designing the jet with the 6X even featuring an overhead skylight in the forward galley and mood lighting.

Natural light was a big feature in designing the jet with the 6X even featuring an overhead skylight in the forward galley and mood lighting.
A mockup of the Dassault Falcon 6X.      Dassault Aviation

And there's no shortage of windows on this jet with 15 on each side at head-level. They're the largest to be featured on a Falcon.

And there
The unveiling of the Dassault Falcon 6X.      Dassault Aviation

The cockpit features the Dassault EASy III cockpit featuring four high-definition display screens and side-stick controls.

The cockpit features the Dassault EASy III cockpit featuring four high-definition display screens and side-stick controls.
A rendering of the Dassault Falcon 6X.      Dassault Aviation

Pilots use a computer-like cursor to navigate the system and control the aircraft's avionics suite. Everything from navigation charts to the status of the engines is available at the click of a button.

Pilots use a computer-like cursor to navigate the system and control the aircraft
A rendering of the Dassault Falcon 6X.      Dassault Aviation

Each pilot also has access to a heads-up display with new Falcon Eye technology that offers a combined enhanced and synthetic vision.

Each pilot also has access to a heads-up display with new Falcon Eye technology that offers a combined enhanced and synthetic vision.
A rendering of the Dassault Falcon 6X.      Dassault Aviation

Sensors on the nose provide data to the display and help pilots see runways and terrain through the clouds and at night.

Sensors on the nose provide data to the display and help pilots see runways and terrain through the clouds and at night.
The unveil of the Dassault Falcon 6X.      Dassault Aviation

In designing the flight controls for the jet, Dassault turned to its military aerospace wing that builds fighter jets.

In designing the flight controls for the jet, Dassault turned to its military aerospace wing that builds fighter jets.
A rendering of the Dassault Falcon 6X.      Dassault Aviation

The Digital Flight Control System helps reduce pilot workload by automating some features including the aircraft's trim setting and includes extra protection by not allowing the aircraft to exceed its maximum structural speeds.

The Digital Flight Control System helps reduce pilot workload by automating some features including the aircraft
A rendering of the Dassault Falcon 6X.      Dassault Aviation

The list price for the aircraft in 2018 was $47 million, just slightly more expensive than the comparable Gulfstream G500.

The list price for the aircraft in 2018 was $47 million, just slightly more expensive than the comparable Gulfstream G500.
A rendering of the Dassault Falcon 6X.      Dassault Aviation

Source: AvBuyer

Now that the unveil is complete, Dassault's flight test team can put the jet through its paces on the long road to certification.

Now that the unveil is complete, Dassault
The unveil of the Dassault Falcon 6X.      Dassault Aviation

Ground testing will begin first and then the plane will take to the skies. Once certification is achieved, the aircraft can move to the completion stage and deliveries can begin.

Ground testing will begin first and then the plane will take to the skies. Once certification is achieved, the aircraft can move to the completion stage and deliveries can begin.
The unveil of the Dassault Falcon 6X.      Dassault Aviation

And though a French jet through and through, the interiors will be completed at Dassault's facility in Little Rock, Arkansas.

And though a French jet through and through, the interiors will be completed at Dassault
A rendering of the Dassault Falcon 6X.      Dassault Aviation

Dassault expects the 6X to be certified in the next two years with deliveries beginning in 2022.

Dassault expects the 6X to be certified in the next two years with deliveries beginning in 2022.
The unveil of the Dassault Falcon 6X.      Dassault Aviation

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