Dassault pushes Falcon 10X service entry to 2029, promises competitive advantage

Dassault Aviation has pushed back service entry for the Falcon 10X ultra-long-range jet to 2029, according to FlightGlobal. The delay, announced in July, marks the second revision to the programme schedule since the aircraft's launch in 2021, when service entry was targeted for 2025. A subsequent delay had moved that date to late 2027.

The 2029 arrival will see the Falcon 10X reach the market significantly later than competing jets already in service. The Bombardier Global 7500 entered service in 2018 and the Gulfstream G700 in 2024. Both manufacturers have since introduced longer-legged variants: the Global 8000, with an advertised range of 8,000nm, and the G800, with a range of 8,200nm. The Falcon 10X itself is advertised at 7,500nm.

Dassault chief executive Eric Trappier told FlightGlobal the delay does not concern him. "It is never too late," Trappier said. "Because we will come a little bit later to the market we will come with a better product. We know exactly what our competitors will do. The 10X will add to what has already been developed for other Falcons with other new technologies."

Trappier said he is "sure and convinced" that customers will wait for the aircraft. "They want to fly the Falcon," he added, and said Dassault has booked an undisclosed number of commitments already. "We really feel that the customers in the market are really keen to go fast to this new Falcon."

Flight testing and certification progress

Dassault now has two Falcon 10X prototypes flying. The second aircraft made its maiden sortie on 24 September. Two further prototypes, both fully fitted with interiors, are scheduled to join the test campaign in 2027. The two flight-test assets have accumulated approximately 100 hours across 30 flights to date, FlightGlobal reports. Trappier said the certification process is now under way.

The Falcon 10X will be powered by a Rolls-Royce Pearl 10X engine. It is unclear from available reporting whether the later service entry date reflects engine development, airframe testing, or certification timelines, or a combination of these factors.

Updates to the Falcon 6X

Meanwhile, Dassault continues to develop the Falcon 6X, which entered service in August 2023. The airframer is adding certification for Category II airport approaches, updates to the FalconEye synthetic vision system, and approval to operate from high-altitude airports up to 14,000 feet, according to Carlos Brana, Dassault's executive vice-president for civil aircraft. Brana told FlightGlobal the flight tests for these capabilities have already been completed and certification is pending. "Now there is just the paperwork to be done and it will be certified," he said.