Falcon 8X

Announced by Dassault Aviation at the 2014 European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE), the Falcon 8X was developed as a deeply modified and modernized derivative of the Falcon 7X to serve as the manufacturer's flagship aircraft. Final assembly and testing were conducted at the company's facility in Bordeaux-Mérignac. Following the completion of ground tests, the aircraft performed its maiden flight on February 6, 2015, initiating a flight test campaign that utilized three prototypes. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) awarded its type certification on June 27, 2016, with the first customer delivery taking place on October 5, 2016. Dassault planned to ramp up production to a rate of three aircraft per month by 2018.

Design

The Falcon 8X retains the trijet configuration of its predecessor but incorporates significant design enhancements. These include a lengthened fuselage and cabin, a new wing constructed from aluminum, and reinforced landing gear to support a higher maximum takeoff weight of 33,113 kg. It is powered by three improved Pratt & Whitney Canada PW307-D turbofan engines, each capable of generating 29.9 kN of thrust. This combination of aerodynamic and powerplant upgrades enables a maximum speed of Mach 0.90 and a service ceiling of 15,500 meters. The aircraft features a wide, long-range cabin that can accommodate up to 19 passengers, offering an extended non-stop range of 11,945 km, the longest of any aircraft in the Falcon family.

Operational History

Following its entry into service, the Falcon 8X was marketed globally, including a presentation at the African Aerospace and Defence Expo in 2018 to target the African market. A significant development in its operational use came in 2019 when it was selected as the platform for the French Air Force's "Archange" (Avion de Renseignement à CHArge utile de Nouvelle GEnération) program. These specialized aircraft will be equipped with a new generation signals intelligence payload from Thales. The Archange is scheduled to replace the aging C-160G Gabriel electronic intelligence aircraft, with a projected entry into service revised to 2028.

Variants

• Dassault Falcon Archange: An electronic intelligence and warfare aircraft based on the Falcon 8X airframe, developed for the French Air Force under the Universal Electronic Warfare Capability (CUGE) program.