One year after implementing a virtual product development platform, the Virtual Platform, Dassault Aviation has halved the time required to assemble its Falcon 7X business jet. The manufacturer claims it makes it the first aircraft in industry history to be entirely developed in a virtual environment – from design to manufacturing to maintenance.

The single, integrated Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) environment enables Dassault and its 27 partners to work on a common, collaborative, 3D virtual platform.

The first Falcon 7X, scheduled for delivery in March 2005, will immediately be used for certification.