After Dassault Aviation cancelled the Falcon 5X program on December 13 due to continuing issues with the Snecma Silvercrest engines, Dassault CEO Eric Trappier said “There is still a strong market need for a brand new long-range aircraft with a very large cabin, so I have decided to launch a new Falcon project powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada engines.”
And now, Dassault has launched the Falcon 6X, as the replacement for the Falcon 5X within the Dassault Falcon family.
“It will feature the most spacious cabin in the long-range segment,” Trappier said in a vast showroom for prestige jets, adding that it would sell for $47 million.
Instead of troubled Silvercrest turbofan the Falcon 6X will use Pratt & Whitney Canada PW812D series engines, each capable of producing between 13,000 – 14,000lb of thrust.
The PurePower PW800 engines feature the common core technology of the Pratt & Whitney Geared Turbofan, which is shared by 16 different engine applications and have amassed over 585,000 flight hours. Equipped with a low maintenance single piece fan and emission reducing Talon combustor, the PurePower PW800 engines offer the highest efficiency, reliability and maintainability in the 10,000-20,000 lb. class and have accumulated over 20,000 hours of testing to date.
Swapping to PW812D engines means that the aircraft will also be more fuel efficient than 5X, and will be able to fly further. The Falcon 5X was projected to have a range of 5,200nm, but the Falcon 6X will be able to fly 5,500nm.
The Falcon 6X is equipped with an ultra-efficient wing that minimizes the impact of turbulence and a next generation digital flight control system that controls all moving surfaces, including a novel control surface called a flaperon. The 6X is the first business jet to use a flaperon, which considerably improves control during approach, especially on steep descents.
The aircraft also comes with industry leading noise suppression systems, based heavily on experience with the new Falcon 8X – the current benchmark in noise comfort – and an all-new cockpit and third generation EASy III all digital flight deck.
It will be delivered with a full package of equipment, including Dassault’s Falcon Sphere II electronic flight bag and the revolutionary FalconEye Combined Vision System – the first head up display to combine enhanced and synthetic vision capabilities.
The 6X is largely based on the Falcon 5X aerodynamics and system features which were validated during the 5X preliminary flight test program. It has been optimized to take advantage of the new engine, offering a greater range and a longer cabin.
It will offer the largest, quietest and most comfortable cabin of any aircraft in its class and more cabin volume than any other Falcon ever designed. It comes equipped with the industry’s most advanced digital flight control and cockpit technologies, drawing on heritage from other recent Falcon models and fighter jet programs.
As with most other Falcon aircraft, the 6X will be able to use steep approach paths and short runways, including those at Aspen and London City airports.
“The industry has been moving towards even wider and higher interiors, and customers told us that what they wanted most in our new Falcons was more space,” said Eric Trappier, chairman & CEO, Dassault Aviation. “So we designed the Falcon 6X from the cabin out, making it as passenger-centric as could be.
The cabin can accommodate 16 passengers in three distinct lounge areas, affording room for multiple configurations including a large entry way/crew rest area and a spacious rear lounge.
Thanks to 29 extra-large windows including a unique galley skylight – the first in business aviation – there will be more natural light in the cabin.
The Falcon 6X is due to fly for the first time early in 2021, with certification and first delivery in 2022.
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