Dassault is “approaching the launch of a new Falcon,” Dassault Aviation CEO Eric Trappier said during a presentation this summer. He did not specify when this aircraft would be launched, or its technical characteristics, but he did say that "[the launch] will surely not be at the next NBAA [show]."
The French manufacturer’s new project will include all the new technologies in its toolkit: composite wings (Smart Fixed-Wing program); biofuel; modular avionics; more fuel-efficiency (including fuel cell technology); and quieter operation. In the intervening months, Trappier has repeatedly said that so many developments can hardly see the light of day before 2020.
Dassault similarly remains discreet about the configuration of this future aircraft. It may use the same fuselage cross-section of the Falcon 5X currently in development, which is wider and taller than the 7X and 8X fuselage, but nothing is for sure.
Financial Results
In his progress report, Trappier said that in this year's first half Dassault Aviation revenues jumped 23.5 percent, to €2.05 billion ($2.44 billion), compared with €1.66 billion ($1.98 billion) in the same period last year. The boost was mainly due to an increase in aircraft deliveries, to 17 from 15 year-over-year. Order intake was also positive for Dassault Falcon, with 14 aircraft sold in the first half of 2017 worth €1.03 billion ($1.23 billion) compared to 11 in 2016 (due to the cancellation of 11 Falcon 5Xs last year) and €778 million ($927 million). Sales for the first six months of 2017 include a fourth maritime surveillance Falcon 2000 for the Japanese coast guard. The total backlog of Falcon business jets as of June 30 reached €3.08 billion for 60 aircraft.
“The market for bizjets is still difficult, but there is a better opportunity in the used market,” commented Trappier. The market for used aircraft in the same class as Falcons currently includes nearly 500 offered for sale, whereas in the good years before the financial crisis, this figure was barely 250, according to Olivier Villa, executive v-p of civil aircraft at Dassault. “Currently, there is a resurgence in sales of used and more rotation of the stock of aircraft compared to the same time in 2016,” he said. Trappier confirmed his forecast for 2017: an increase in total sales, but only 45 Falcon deliveries (compared with 49 in 2016).
Program Updates
The Falcon 5X flight test campaign with temporary Silvercrest engines from Safran is well under way. The current schedule will allow Dassault to limit the delay of the program to three years instead of four years, explained the CEO, though entry into service remains scheduled for 2020. The flight test agenda includes tests that would normally have been performed on the ground, but will now occur later in the program. For example, fixed-point tests and low and high-speed rolling trials.
The 5X flew for the first time on July 5 with the temporary Silvercrest engines. Validation and certification flight tests will begin in 2018 when Safran delivers the first of its final, certifiable and Dassault-compliant engines.
For its part, the Falcon 8X program “is doing very well,” Trappier said. The 8X made its first flight on Feb. 6, 2015 and entered service in the fall of 2016. Since then, it has expanded its capabilities with the following milestones: approval for operations at London City Airport in May 2017; a demonstration flight from Singapore to London covering 6,300 nm in 14 hours; FAA and EASA certifications for the FalconEye combined vision system in April 2017; and certification for takeoffs with crosswinds of 30 knots.
