Dassault Aviation on Wednesday unveiled the Falcon 8X, touting the new model as its “ultra long range” flagship business jet. The 8X, announced in May, builds on the popular 7X long-range trijet and will offer arange of 6,450 nm and a cabin 3.5 feet longer than the 7X. It also has a more efficient wing and upgradedPratt & Whitney Canada engines, competing with Gulfstream’s new long-range G650ER, also introduced earlier this year.
Final assembly and testing of the 8X is taking place at Dassault’s Bordeaux-Merignac facility where the 7X was produced. The company said engine installation was completed in July and ground tests were completed in November. The first engine runup took place earlier this month and a first flight is slated for the first quarter of 2015, Dassault said.Three aircraft will be used in the flight test and certification process. The company plans to begin delivery in the second half of 2016.
