Dassault Aviation has unveiled a model of a proposed future business jet at the Paris Air Show. Code named the Falcon FNX, the new jet will fly 5,700 nautical miles and boast a wing design that permits an Mmo

of Mach 0.9.

According to Charles Edelstenne, Dassault’s chairman and ceo, unprecedented performance value will be based on what he termed “breakthrough aerodynamics”. The first flight of the Falcon FNX has been scheduled for 2004.

“To a company like Dassault, the wing is the heart of aerodynamics and aerodynamics is the heart of flying,” said Edelstenne, “After years of study and using the most advanced modelling techniques in the industry, we have arrived at a new design formula. It combines dramatic improvements gained from our experience in building military fighters with new construction techniques to bring corporate operators unprecedented performance, comfort and value.”

Some of the key features that define the Falcon FNX are: Non-stop range capability of 5,700 nautical miles; a cabin as wide as the 900EX, yet 20 per cent longer; a high-sweep, advanced technology wing, fly-by-wire controls and Dassault’s “intuitive” flight deck; and the manufacturer’s signature three-engine design.

Olivier Villa, vp of Falcon programmes, described the new wing as an optimised high-transonic design with a considerable improvement in lift-to-drag ratio over present-day Falcon wings. “Dassault’s goal was to optimise the wing’s total shape in ways that allow structural simplification, weight and cost savings, and a generous internal volume for fuel”. Villa indicated that the Falcon FNX’s Mmo would be 0.9 Mach.

“Its Vmo will be 370 knots, the highest in its class – this means FNX operators will be able to conduct most day-to-day flights at Mach 0.85 and above.

“One need only look at where most international companies are located and their travel patterns,” said John Rosanvallon, president of Dassault Falcon Jet commenting on the long range. “When we analysed all major city pairs and ran them against corporate requirements, the decision was easy. Out of Paris, for example, 5,700 nautical miles delivers the major US West Coast cities when going west, or Tokyo going east.”

The cabin structure allows room for three spacious lounge areas plus lavatories, galley, a private crew rest area and a large baggage compartment. The cabin pressurisation system will provide a low, 6,000 cabin altitude even when flying at high cruise altitudes.

It will also include an advanced temperature control system and proven sound attenuation techniques.

“A key driver behind developing an aircraft like the FNX is the need to offer customers significantly increased value,” said Rosanvallon. “In the rarefied air where large, long-range corporate aircraft are developed, price and cost of operation have sometimes taken a back seat to other considerations.

It was time to address this head-on, or as we say, ‘from the design point forward’.

“Dassault is taking full advantage of advanced concepts that reduce parts count and labour costs.”

According to Charles Edelstenne, Dassault’s chairman and ceo, unprecedented performance value will be based on what he termed “breakthrough aerodynamics”. The first flight of the Falcon FNX has been scheduled for 2004.

“To a company like Dassault, the wing is the heart of aerodynamics and aerodynamics is the heart of flying,” said Edelstenne, “After years of study and using the most advanced modelling techniques in the industry, we have arrived at a new design formula. It combines dramatic improvements gained from our experience in building military fighters with new construction techniques to bring corporate operators unprecedented performance, comfort and value.”

Some of the key features that define the Falcon FNX are: Non-stop range capability of 5,700 nautical miles; a cabin as wide as the 900EX, yet 20 per cent longer; a high-sweep, advanced technology wing, fly-by-wire controls and Dassault’s “intuitive” flight deck; and the manufacturer’s signature three-engine design.

Olivier Villa, vp of Falcon programmes, described the new wing as an optimised high-transonic design with a considerable improvement in lift-to-drag ratio over present-day Falcon wings. “Dassault’s goal was to optimise the wing’s total shape in ways that allow structural simplification, weight and cost savings, and a generous internal volume for fuel”. Villa indicated that the Falcon FNX’s Mmo would be 0.9 Mach.

“Its Vmo will be 370 knots, the highest in its class – this means FNX operators will be able to conduct most day-to-day flights at Mach 0.85 and above.

“One need only look at where most international companies are located and their travel patterns,” said John Rosanvallon, president of Dassault Falcon Jet commenting on the long range. “When we analysed all major city pairs and ran them against corporate requirements, the decision was easy. Out of Paris, for example, 5,700 nautical miles delivers the major US West Coast cities when going west, or Tokyo going east.”

The cabin structure allows room for three spacious lounge areas plus lavatories, galley, a private crew rest area and a large baggage compartment. The cabin pressurisation system will provide a low, 6,000 cabin altitude even when flying at high cruise altitudes.

It will also include an advanced temperature control system and proven sound attenuation techniques.

“A key driver behind developing an aircraft like the FNX is the need to offer customers significantly increased value,” said Rosanvallon. “In the rarefied air where large, long-range corporate aircraft are developed, price and cost of operation have sometimes taken a back seat to other considerations.\r

It was time to address this head-on, or as we say, ‘from the design point forward’.

“Dassault is taking full advantage of advanced concepts that reduce parts count and labour costs.”