The Falcon 7X, Dassault's next-generation trijet, is 100% "defined
and designed in detail," paving the way for first flight
in second quarter 2005 and certification and customer deliveries
in late 2006, according to Bruno Revellin-Falcoz, the firm's vice-chairman.
While the 7X now is on schedule, it will be "quite a challenge"
to finish it in three years. But, he believes Dassault's 18 partners
in the project are up to the task and he is confident the aircraft
"will fly in two years."
The Falcon 7X has a unique niche in the heavy-iron business jet
market, with its clean-screen aerodynamic design, 5,700 nmi range,
Mach 0.90 Mmo and fly-by-wire technology, Revellin-Falcoz noted.
New design tools, such as a low-speed wind tunnel with a treadmill-like
rolling runway, are helping Dassault to validate and refine the
aircraft's airport performance and handling characteristics. A
transonic wind tunnel is being used to refine the final aerodynamic
configuration.
Dassault will debut FBW aboard the Falcon 7X and fit the cockpit
with its signature Honeywell Primus Epic EASy, short for Enhanced
Avionics System. The three PWC 307A turbofans that will power
the aircraft already have accumulated 600 hours of testing, including
50 hours of flight testing aboard P&WC's Boeing 720B testbed.
The new four-window nose that will improve high-speed drag characteristics
has successfully completed bird strike testing. New manufacturing
techniques, such as computer-controlled, high-speed milling of
40-foot wing skins and thick plate forging have been developed.
The Falcon 7X will feature a carbon fiber vertical tail, fabricated
by using Dassault's patented resin transfer molding process.
At its Merignac facility, the firm recently inaugurated the Charles
A. Lindbergh hangar, a 2.5-million square foot assembly facility
where the 7X will be built.
