Dassault Aviation reveals first Falcon 8X

Dassault Aviation rolled back the curtains on the ultra long range Falcon 8X, the company's new flagship and the latest addition to the growing Falcon business jet family. Unveiled at Dassault's Bordeaux-Merignac facility before an audience of customers, operators, industrial partners and representatives of certification authorities, the 8X will offer the greatest range and the longest cabin in the Falcon line, and the most extensive selection of cabin configurations on the market. Announced in May 2014, the Falcon 8X builds on the advanced performance and technology of the popular 7X long range trijet. It will offer a range of 6,450 nm (11,945 km) and a cabin 3.5 feet longer than the 7X while affording the same low operating economics and remarkable operating flexibility for which all Falcons are known. Final assembly and testing of the 8X is taking place at the state-of-the-art Charles Lindbergh hall at Bordeaux-Merignac. The facility was built to handle production of the Falcon 7X, and the 8X will draw on the same advanced digital design and manufacturing techniques pioneered with the 7X. Falcon 8X wing mating and engine installation were completed in July and first power up occurred shortly after. Ground tests concluded in November. The first engine run up took place in early December and the aircraft is on track for a maiden flight in the first quarter of 2015. A total of three aircraft will be used in the flight test and certification campaign. Deliveries are expected to begin in the second half of 2016.