New Falcon 7X Looks to Lucas For Latest Fly-By-Wire Systems

The new Dassault Falcon 7X (ex FNX) long range business jet is to have fly-by-wire flaps and airbrakes systems from TRW Aeronautical Systems (Lucas Aerospace).

The company was recently selected by Dassault to provide the hydro-mechanical flap and airbrake systems, plus an electrical power generation and management system. The combined value of the contracts is estimated at $350 million, including production for a projected 400 aircraft and aftermarket support for the life of the program.

TRW Aeronautical Systems president and CEO Ken Maciver expressed his pleasure at the win.

"We are delighted to be working with Dassault on this important new program. The Falcon 7X provides a new platform as well as a relatively new market for our world leading flight control technology, and a growing market for our electric power generation technology which currently flies on a number of business aircraft," he said.

The flap system is comprised of a cockpit control lever that signals a power drive unit to provide output torque, via transmission shafting, to power the flap surface actuators on the aircraft's wings.

The airbrake system comprises a cockpit control lever that signals a hydraulic control unit to provide hydraulic power to the airbrake surface actuators in the wings.

TRW's electrical power generation and management system will provide 28-volt DC electrical power and primary and secondary distribution to the aircraft. The system consists of main and auxiliary DC generators with controls, primary power distribution panels and secondary power distribution panels incorporating solid-state power controllers.

The company will set up a program management team to focus on the Falcon 7X, and TRW personnel will locate to Dassault's St. Cloud engineering facility to participate in the joint design team during the joint definition phase of the program.

TRW has had a long standing relationship with Dassault, supplying hydraulics, and low pressure fuel and mechanical systems on Dassault's military aircraft, including the Mirage 2000 and Rafale.

Although TRW does not have a booth here at this revamped show, senior management from the company is well represented.

By Mike Vines