Falcon 2000

The Dassault Falcon 2000 is a business jet produced by French manufacturer Dassault Aviation. Its development stems from the Falcon 900 trijet, but the 2000 is a smaller twinjet. The Falcon 900 fuselage was shortened by 7 ft (2.1 m) to accommodate up to 10 passengers. Design modifications included alterations to the wing's leading edge and the removal of its inboard slats. The Falcon 2000 was introduced in 1995 with an original price of $17.85 million.

Design

The standard Falcon 2000 is designed as a business jet. However, specialized militarized variants exist for maritime surveillance and intervention missions. The Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft (MRA) or Maritime surveillance aircraft (MSA) is a militarized variant based on the Falcon 2000LXS, equipped with a multifunction under-fuselage radar, a high-performance electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) system, observation windows, a Search & Rescue chain release system and dedicated communications systems. Similarly, the Falcon 2000 Albatros, derived from the MRA version, incorporates a multifunction under-fuselage radar, a high-performance electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) system, a Search & Rescue chain release system and dedicated communications systems for search and rescue operations and maritime monitoring.

Variants

Main Variants:

• Falcon 2000: The original version, certified in 1994, was equipped with CFE CFE738-1-1B turbofans and a Collins Pro Line 4 avionics suite, offering a range of 2,841 nautical miles.

• Falcon 2000EX: This re-engined variant, certified in 2003, featured Pratt & Whitney Canada PW308C turbofan engines, extending the range to 3,878 nautical miles.

• Falcon 2000EX EASy: A marketing designation for the 2000EX, this variant included changes to the pressurization and oxygen systems, and the Honeywell Primus Epic-based EASy avionics suite, certified in 2004.

• Falcon 2000DX: An updated model certified in 2007 based on the 2000EX EASy, it utilized the same PW308C turbofans but offered a shorter range of 3,250 nautical miles.

• Falcon 2000LX: This longer-range variant of the Falcon 2000EX EASy, introduced in 2009, incorporated Aviation Partners Blended Winglets to achieve a range of 4,000 nautical miles.

The Falcon 2000 series sees usage among civil and military operators across the globe. Predominantly, it serves private individuals, companies, and executive charter services, while some companies integrate it into fractional ownership programs. In the military and governmental sphere, the Bulgarian Air Force employs the Falcon 2000. The Japan Coast Guard ordered six Falcon 2000MSA maritime surveillance aircraft, with deliveries beginning in 2019. The Slovenian Air Force and Air Defence also operate the type, as does the Republic of Korea Air Force, which has two ELINT Falcon 2000s on order. France's Air and Space Force operates a Falcon 2000EX and a Falcon 2000LX as part of the French presidential fleet, while the French Navy has ordered seven Falcon 2000 Albatros aircraft (with plans for five more) to replace its Falcon 50 Surmar and Falcon 200 Gardian aircraft in maritime surveillance and intervention roles beginning in 2025. Finally, the Royal Thai Police operates a Falcon 2000S.