Dassault's Falcon 10X Completes Maiden Flight

Dassault Aviation's Falcon 10X, the largest business jet the French manufacturer has ever built, completed its maiden flight today, marking a significant milestone for the program first revealed in 2021.

The aircraft took off from runway 23 at Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport, France, at 11:10 AM local time, with test pilot Sébastien Dupont de Dinechin and co-pilot Fabrice Dougnac at the controls. The crew evaluated handling qualities and systems at 15,000 feet before climbing to 40,000 feet, where the aircraft accelerated to Mach 0.82. The flight lasted two hours and 30 minutes and represents the start of an extensive flight test campaign that will lead to certification.

The Falcon 10X targets the upper end of the business aviation market, positioning Dassault against established competitors including the Gulfstream G700 and G800 and the Bombardier Global 7500 and 8000. The aircraft is designed to carry passengers on ultra-long-range missions, connecting city pairs that have traditionally required commercial airline travel or a fuel stop.

Performance and Range

Dassault has designed the Falcon 10X for a range of 7,500 nautical miles (13,900 kilometers) at Mach 0.85, with a top speed of Mach 0.925 — figures that would allow nonstop flights between destinations such as New York and Shanghai, or Los Angeles and Sydney. The jet is powered by Rolls-Royce Pearl 10X engines, the most powerful in the Rolls-Royce business aviation portfolio, developed specifically for this aircraft. The wing has been built largely from carbon fiber composites, a first for a Falcon jet of this size, helping reduce weight while improving aerodynamic efficiency and fuel burn.

Cabin Design

The Falcon 10X cabin measures 9 feet 1 inch wide and 6 feet 8 inches tall, which Dassault claims makes it the largest cabin cross-section of any business jet. The interior can be configured into up to four separate zones, accommodating arrangements such as a private bedroom, a dining and conference area, a lounge, and a dedicated entertainment space. Dassault has targeted a pressurization equivalent of 3,000 feet at cruise altitude, with lower cabin altitudes intended to reduce passenger fatigue on long flights.

Flight Deck and Controls

The cockpit features Dassault's FalconEye combined vision system alongside a single integrated control system consolidating flight, navigation, communications, and aircraft management functions. The aircraft also uses a digital flight control system derived from Dassault's military experience with the Rafale fighter.

Program History and What Comes Next

Dassault originally unveiled the Falcon 10X in 2021 with plans to enter service by 2025, before revising the schedule due to supply chain constraints and development complexity. Service entry is now targeted for late 2027, following certification by aviation authorities in Europe and the United States. Two additional test aircraft are currently being prepared to join the flight test program.

For Dassault, the Falcon 10X represents both a technical achievement and a strategic move. The company has long held a significant share of the global business jet market but has lacked an aircraft capable of matching the cabin size and range of its largest rivals. With the 10X now flying, that gap is beginning to close.