Revelation comes as Dassault's latest design, the 7X, rolls out at its plant in Bordeaux
Dassault could select a new Falcon business jet design by year end and launch development in 2006. The disclosure by Dassault chief executive Charles Edelstenne comes as the first Falcon 7X long-range business jet rolls out of the manufacturer's Merignac, Bordeaux facility on 15 February in preparation for first flight early next quarter.
Dassault assembled the first 7X in a record seven months as a result of its move to a "virtual mockup" using a digital model of the aircraft, Edelstenne says. This eliminated the need for a wooden mockup and a prototype aircraft.
Edelstenne will not be drawn on the category of the next Falcon member, but admits there is an obvious gap at the lower end of the Falcon range. "There has been a lot of discussion about a replacement to the [mid-size] Falcon 20, which we are taking very seriously," he says. Dassault is also exploring a new version of the super mid-size Falcon 50EX, he adds. Dassault has 50 orders for the 7X and first delivery is due in late 2006.
KATE SARSFIELD / LONDON
Source: Flight International
