Dassault ramps up Falcon 8X assembley

Dassault is ramping up Falcon 8X production, as certification and entry into service for the tri-jet gets closer.

The company says that there are currently eight aircraft in various stages of production in Bordeaux, with a further three aircraft already in the flight test program.

Dassault announced the Falcon 8X at the 2014 EBACE show. Derived from the Falcon 7X, the 8X has a longer fuselage and strengthened wings.

The range from the original 7X is also increased by an additional 450nm.

The aircraft is now two thirds of the way through its flight test program, having flown more than 380 hours in 185 flights. During one of the test flight, aircraft 1 achieved a top speed of Mach 0.97.

“We are extremely satisfied with the way the 8X program is progressing. Aircraft flight performance, notably long range capability, has fully met design targets and production ramp up has proceeded smoothly,” said Eric Trappier, chairman and CEO, Dassault Aviation. “We anticipate certification by mid-2016, on schedule, with initial deliveries to follow in the second half of the year.”

The certification push now moves towards the aircraft cabin, where a 100 hour program will verify the cabin comfort, including all entertainment option, air conditioning and acoustics.

As part of the cabin tests the aircraft will embark on a round-the-world tour,k during which the aircraft will be tested in extreme temperatures.

“The world tour will take the aircraft through flights of various duration in all kinds of difficult conditions representing the extremes of what our customers might expect to face during their aircraft’s operational life,” said Trappier. “Our goal is to deliver the most comfortable and smoothest performing aircraft on the market, with all systems and features working like clockwork from day one.”