Dassault's Falcon 10X completes maiden flight
Saint-Cloud, June 20
Dassault Aviation's all-new Falcon 10X has successfully completed its first flight, demonstrating the program's maturity and marking the launch of the flight test campaign, it announced on Friday.
According to the official statement, Test Pilot Sebastien Dupont de Dinechin and copilot Fabrice Dougnac took off from runway 23 at Bordeaux-Merignac at 11.10 a.m. for a two-hour and 30 minute flight. The pilots evaluated handling qualities and systems at 15,000 feet, then retracted the landing gear and all movable surfaces before climbing to 40,000 feet, where they accelerated to Mach 0.82. They returned to Bordeaux-Merignac for a smooth landing at 1.40 p.m.
Citing Chairman and CEO Trappier, it highlighted how the inaugural flight reflects the high skills of engineers, production and flight teams.
"This inaugural flight is another milestone for Dassault," said Trappier. "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. All of us are excited to see this day as we launch into a new phase for the 10X."
"Today's flight was the culmination of years of work by thousands of Dassault employees and partners," commented de Dinechin. "It paid off in a flight that went as planned and was a delight to fly".
According to the statement, the first aircraft will be soon followed into the air by a second test aircraft nearing completion, and by a third, that is being outfitted with a full interior and will be used mainly for systems and cabin functional and reliability testing.
The statement highlighted how Dassault Aviation is the only aircraft manufacturer in the world to have a completely new aircraft in flight in 2026.
Dassault Aviation has a longstanding history, with over 10,000 military and civil aircraft (including 2,800 Falcons) delivered in more than 90 countries over the past 110 years.
It is recognised worldwide for the design, production, sale and support of all types of aircraft, ranging from the Rafale fighter, to the high-end Falcon family of business jets, military drones and space systems.
As per the official website, in 2025, Dassault Aviation had about 15,000 employees and reported revenues of EUR 7.4 billion.
— ANI
Reader Comments
The engineering behind this is just incredible—two and a half hours of flight at 40,000 feet, testing everything from handling to systems. It's clear Dassault's experience from military jets like the Rafale helps them create such refined civilian aircraft. That said, I hope the price tag doesn't make it a toy only for the ultra-rich.
🤩 Wow, what a milestone! Dassault's 110-year legacy is no joke. I read that it's the only manufacturer with a brand-new aircraft flying in 2026—that's serious dedication. As an Indian, I feel proud seeing French aerospace innovation, but also wish our own DRDO or HAL could achieve something like this. At least the Rafale deal brought some tech transfer, so maybe there's hope! 🇮🇳✈️
First flight at Mach 0.82—that's seriously fast for a business jet! The Falcon 10X is clearly designed for those who value speed and luxury. But honestly, I wonder if the global market for such high-end jets is sustainable with economic ups and downs. Still, kudos to the Dassault team for their technical excellence.
While this is great for Dassault, I can't help but feel a bit envious. India's aviation industry still heavily relies on imports for such advanced aircraft. The government should push for more local manufacturing like what they're doing with the Rafale—it's the only way to build our own expertise. Otherwise, we'll always be just buyers, not makers. ✈️🇮🇳
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