Dassault unveils Falcon 10X large-cabin jet in Bordeaux

The next-generation flagship Falcon has been introduced with an all-composite wing built using Hexcel materials alongside a wider cabin and ultra-long-range performance.

Dassault Aviation has unveiled the Falcon 10X, its next-generation large cabin business jet, during an event at its Bordeaux-Mérignac production facility attended by more than 400 customers, partners and aviation leaders.

The aircraft introduces the largest cabin yet designed for a purpose-built business jet. The interior is eight inches wider and two inches taller than its nearest competitor and features 38 large windows designed to bring more natural light into the cabin.

“The objective,” says Eric Trappier, president and chief executive officer at Dassault Aviation, “is to allow passengers to experience time on board the aircraft as just another part of their everyday life, not as a long interval between origin and destination. So they arrive feeling refreshed and at their very best.”

The Falcon 10X is designed for a top speed of Mach 0.925 and a range of 7,500nm, enabling city pairs such as New York to Shanghai, Los Angeles to Sydney, São Paulo to Dubai and Beijing to Paris.

The aircraft also features business aviation’s first all-composite wing. Structural prepregs for the wing are supplied by Hexcel Corporation, which was selected in 2022 to support the programme.

Tom Gentile, chairman, chief executive officer and president at Hexcel Corporation, says: “Our partnership with Dassault exemplifies how Hexcel’s expertise in lightweight, advanced carbon fiber composites drive the next generation of high-performance aircraft. We are proud to support Dassault in ensuring the durability, efficiency, and competitive edge of the Falcon 10X throughout its service life with a full composite wing.”

Hexcel’s M21E/IMA prepreg system was implemented with Dassault Aviation’s engineering teams to deliver the weight savings, structural stiffness and fatigue resistance required for the Falcon 10X wing.

The Falcon 10X also introduces the NeXus flight deck with large touch-screen displays and automation tools designed to reduce pilot workload. A dual FalconEye Enhanced Vision System is included as standard. Power is provided by Rolls-Royce Pearl 10X engines delivering more than 18,000lb of thrust.

With the unveiling complete, the Falcon 10X programme will move toward flight testing ahead of entry into service.