Dassault Aviation has launched the Falcon 10X flight test campaign after the ultra-long-range business jet successfully completed its maiden flight from Bordeaux-Mérignac.

The aircraft departed runway 23 at Bordeaux-Mérignac on 19 June with test pilot Sébastien Dupont de Dinechin and co-pilot Fabrice Dougnac at the controls. During the two-hour and 30-minute sortie, the crew assessed handling qualities and onboard systems, climbed to 40,000ft and accelerated to Mach 0.82 before returning for landing at 1.40pm.

The milestone also represents the first flight of the Rolls-Royce Pearl 10X, the most powerful member of the Pearl engine family and the first Rolls-Royce engine to power a Dassault business jet.

The Falcon 10X programme will now move into an expanded certification campaign. A second test aircraft is nearing completion while a third aircraft fitted with a full interior will focus on systems, cabin functionality and reliability testing.

Rolls-Royce's Pearl 10X programme has accumulated more than 4,000 hours of testing across ground and flight campaigns. This included more than 25 flights aboard the company's Boeing 747 flying testbed, covering approximately 36,000nm.

The engine combines the Advance2 core with a high-performance low-pressure system to generate more than 18,000lb of thrust. It also incorporates an ultra-low emissions combustor compatible with 100% sustainable aviation fuel and an accessory gearbox designed to support increased onboard power demands.

Eric Trappier, chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation, says: "This inaugural flight is another milestone for Dassault. It is a reflection of the dedication and high skill of our engineering, production, and flight teams, and also the quality of our global network of partners."

Philipp Zeller, senior vice president Dassault, Business Aviation at Rolls-Royce, adds: "We congratulate the Dassault team on this important milestone. Seeing the Falcon 10X taking off for the first time, powered by our Pearl 10X engines, makes all of us at Rolls-Royce proud and serves as yet another testament to our market-leading position."