Dassault plans to propose a maritime surveillance variant of its Falcon 2000 executive jet to meet an emerging French Navy requirement to renew its maritime patrol aircraft fleet.
A study is about to be undertaken by France’s defence ministry into the future shape of the Aéronavale’s maritime patrol fleet. The current inventory consists of around 15 elderly Nord 262 turboprops, which entered service 40 years ago, plus five Falcon 200 Gardian twin-jets and four Falcon 50s. The Nord 262s would be replaced first, followed by the smaller Falcon 200s and then the Falcon 50s.
It is believed the replacement timescale would run from 2012, with 15-20 new aircraft required. While Dassault declines to comment on the situation, sources indicate that the company plans to offer the Falcon 2000 to replace all three types.
The new variant would have a surveillance radar, FLIR, an IFF-type system, the capability to drop search-and-rescue containers and a communication suite including satcom facilities.
The aircraft would have four underwing stations, the two inner pylons having a 1500lb (670kg) capacity and the two outer, 1000lb (450kg). Range would be around 3,300nm, with typical endurance of 7h at 200nm from base, or 2h at 1,200nm.
Dassault is understood to have settled on the Falcon 2000 as a new, less expensive platform following its unsuccessful bid for the Indian Navy’s maritime patrol aircraft requirement with the larger, three-engined Falcon 900 MPA.
A study is about to be undertaken by France’s defence ministry into the future shape of the Aéronavale’s maritime patrol fleet. The current inventory consists of around 15 elderly Nord 262 turboprops, which entered service 40 years ago, plus five Falcon 200 Gardian twin-jets and four Falcon 50s. The Nord 262s would be replaced first, followed by the smaller Falcon 200s and then the Falcon 50s.
It is believed the replacement timescale would run from 2012, with 15-20 new aircraft required. While Dassault declines to comment on the situation, sources indicate that the company plans to offer the Falcon 2000 to replace all three types.
The new variant would have a surveillance radar, FLIR, an IFF-type system, the capability to drop search-and-rescue containers and a communication suite including satcom facilities.
The aircraft would have four underwing stations, the two inner pylons having a 1500lb (670kg) capacity and the two outer, 1000lb (450kg). Range would be around 3,300nm, with typical endurance of 7h at 200nm from base, or 2h at 1,200nm.
Dassault is understood to have settled on the Falcon 2000 as a new, less expensive platform following its unsuccessful bid for the Indian Navy’s maritime patrol aircraft requirement with the larger, three-engined Falcon 900 MPA.
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Source: Flight Daily News
