Julian Moxon/PARIS Guy Norris/LOS ANGELES
Dassault Aviation is to replace its business jet range with a new line-up. The initial model, which will eventually replace the Falcon 900, is due to be revealed at the June Paris Air Show.
The French manufacturer has already issued a request for proposals to engine manufacturers with responses sought by the end of this month. Dassault also has long-term plans to replace the smaller Falcon 2000 and Falcon 50, along with their longer-range 50EX and 2000EX derivatives, but declines to reveal in-service dates for the new aircraft.
The Falcon 900 replacement, which will become Dassault's flagship product, will be officially launched at September's National Business Aviation Association Convention in New Orleans.
The aircraft is being designed primarily as an ultra-long range jet, reminiscent of the Falcon 9000, planned in the early 1990s to compete with the ultra-long range Gulfstream GV and Bombardier Global Express but abandoned due to concerns about development costs and market overload. Dassault focused instead on the longer range versions of the Falcon 900 and 50 and the transcontinental Falcon 2000. All were successful. Dassault sold a record 90 jets last year.
Industry sources say the new aircraft will feature "totally new, innovative aerodynamics" enabling increases in cruising speed from Mach 0.8 to "around" Mach 0.9 and a 45,000ft (13,700m) cruise altitude - equivalent to the Falcon 2000. All models will be equipped with the new Honeywell-developed EASy cockpit set for service entry on the Falcon 900EX in 2003.
While the number of passengers at up to 15 will not increase, the new aircraft will have a "slightly larger fuselage", say sources, to provide for a crew rest area and additional space for passengers on ultra-long range flights.
Gulfstream and Bombardier are considering repositioning their respective GIV and Challenger 604 offerings upmarket, each of which would compete directly with the Falcon 900 replacement.
Sources say Dassault is looking for an advanced derivative rather than an all-new engine . Honeywell is understood to be considering responding with a new design using the architecture of the newly developed AS900 as a template. GE says it is not responding and Rolls-Royce and Pratt &Whitney Canada would not comment.
The move comes as Dassault announced record year-end figures, with sales up 20%, to €3.5 billion ($3.3 billion).
Source: Flight International
