Changes to the Dassault Falcon 7X, now in flight test, could increase its IFR range to as much as 6,000 nm at Mach 0.80, Dassault Aviation said at the NBAA Convention last month. The current guaranteed range of the 7X is 5,700 nm, but the French manufacturer is currently evaluating several range-boosting enhancements. Among the enhancements being considered are Dassault-designed winglets, which would be a first for Falcons.

If implemented, the enhancements will be included on the first customer aircraft, S/N 4, which will be delivered to Serge Dassault, chairman of the Dassault Group, after the model’s certification late next year.

Dassault expects to exceed firm orders for 70 Falcon 7Xs by year-end. Three aircraft now in flight test have logged more than 300 hours on nearly 100 sorties. Test pilots have taken the 7X to 50,000 feet and Mach 0.92 (the aircraft’s Mmo is 0.90).
Current renovation and expansion of Falcon Jet’s Little Rock, Ark. facility will accommodate a completion rate of three 7Xs per month by late 2007, the company said.