Dassault holds to 2029 for the Falcon 10X and names its headwinds

Dassault Aviation went all-in at NBAA-BACE this year, bringing its 6X and 8X models to the static display at Henderson Executive Airport and hosting a press conference at the Las Vegas Convention Center on Tuesday, headlined by Chairman and CEO Eric Trappier. The good news? The Falcon 10X, which recently had delivery guidance pushed back by two years, is said to be on track for entry into service in 2029. But Trappier also spent time addressing the headwinds that Dassault is facing which could still test that target date.Trappier shared that the second 10X prototype joined the program on Sept. 24 with its first flight, three months after the first airframe flew on June 19. Two more aircraft, with finished interiors, are scheduled to begin flight testing in 2027. With approximately 30 flights and 100 hours flown, pilots are putting the 10X through the standard regimen of flight envelope, systems and avionics testing. The Rolls-Royce Pearl 10X engines are expected to certify in 2027, two years ahead of the airframe, according to Aviation Week.EASy IV does it for the Falcon 2000There was more to discuss besides the 10X: supporting existing customers also took center stage as Dassault announced the EASy IV flight deck (standard on the 6X and 8X) for the production Falcon 2000LXS. It is also offering an EASy IV retrofit for the popular earlier Falcon 2000-series aircraft (the retrofit is planned by 2029). "It modernizes the existing fleet and enhances aircraft value," Trappier said in the announcement.The EASy IV offers improvements over previous generations that include faster processing, crisper displays, 2D and 3D airport moving maps, new Jeppesen chart functions and a next-generation flight management system with RNP approach capability. It integrates with the FalconEye combined vision system to improve situational awareness on approaches in poor visibility. Owners of older EASy aircraft can take advantage of the retrofit as an upgrade path to match the flight deck on the 6X or 8X without changing airplanes. Pricing has not been announced.Supply chain, fuel costs and a perception problemTrappier said that supply chain problems are improving but noted that not everything has stabilized. He noted the Middle East crisis and the war in Ukraine but did not reference the nationwide protests and unrest currently roiling France.The next set of challenges noted by Trappier is public perception of business jets' negative effect on the environment, especially in northern Europe. His answer is a commitment to sustainable aviation fuel: the 10X will be able to fly on 100% SAF. He acknowledged the elephant in the room — it costs operators more, but he alluded to the supply and demand model that should eventually bring costs down as volumes rise.Asked whether the criticism hurts sales, he noted a divergence between business jet bashing as political perception and those still buying. He cited global flight activity as growing by 3.5% a year, with sales strongest in the US and the overall pre-owned market.The best offense is a good defenseTrappier described Dassault's defense book of business as strong. The French Navy is the customer for the 12 Albatros maritime patrol aircraft. The three Archange intelligence aircraft are for the French Air and Space Force, with those deliveries running through 2028. But there is plenty of uncertainty in parliament with the government pushing a €54 billion spending-cut package in the 2027 budget, and a presidential election follows in April 2027.What happens nextThe roadmap for the next few years is clear: two additional prototypes will join flight testing for the 10X program in 2027, the Pearl 10X is expected to certify the same year, and the EASy IV retrofit is planned by 2029. Meanwhile, in France, protesters have called for another round of demonstrations Saturday. The French government still has some housekeeping to take care of before another supply chain challenge gets added to the list.