Dassault: aircraft manufacturer

Dassault Aviation is a French aircraft manufacturer. This industrial group was founded in 1929. It was founded by Marcel Dassault. Withinthe aeronautics industry, it specialises in air transport, manufacturing military aircraft as well as private jetsfor business aviation.

We tell you all about the history and achievements of this French company: from its first aircraft to the latest Falcon 10X.

Dassault Aviation today :

A few figures :

Today, Dassault Aviation, with a turnover of 7.2 billion euros in 2021, has 12,371 employees. 75% of them work in France.

The aircraft manufacturer has announced 2,100 Falcon and 1,000 fighter aircraft inservice.

The company is included in the 2023 ranking of the 100 most socially responsible companies. (source Institut Statista)

A committed Falcon manufacturer:

The company is committed on several levels:

• Climate and environmental commitment:Dassault Aviation is a member of the ICAO(InternationalCivil AviationOrganisation) Committee for the Protection of the Environment.Within this framework, they are committed to working towards zero carbonemissions by 2050.The aircraft manufacturer is committed to using sustainable fuels(SAF).The company Dassault is also taking part in the CleanSkyresearch programme to find alternatives for reducing fuel consumption.
• Social:the aircraft manufacturer promotes equal opportunities and diversity, andaims to build employee loyalty through an attractive and motivating social model.

The history of Dassault Aviation

Dassault Aviation is a branch of the Dassault Group (like Dassault-Systèmes or Immobilière Dassault, for example). Its founder, Marcel Dassault, was born Marcel Ferdinand Bloch. For the record, he had his surname changed from “Bloch” to “Dassault” in 1949. This name was taken from the “chardasso” code used by his brother, a general during the Resistance. Dassault Aviation did not adopt this name until 1990 (it was previously known as AMD-BA).

The origins of Dassault from 1918 onwards

• 1918: At the end of the First World War, Marcel Dassault (still called Bloch at the time) created the SEA: Société d’études aéronautiques. He delivers 300 two-seater warplanes to the French air force.
• 1930: a change of team was made and together they created a new range of aircraft: combat aircraft for the French army
  • a three-engined mail plane
  • a heavy bomber
  • a four-engined transport aircraft,
  • a single-seat fighter

All these aircraft are called MB, followed by a number depending on the model.

• 1938: Marcel Dassault founds a new factory in Saint-Cloud, near Paris, before being caught in the flak of the 2nd World War. This is now the industrial group ‘s main design office . In this factory, he created propellers as well as engines.

The Dassault Aviation story continues after the Second World War

• 1945: This year saw a further set-up and expansion of Marcel’s factories Dassault. A factory in Boulogne was renamed “Boulogne Avions Marcel Bloch” and a factory in Talence (Nouvelle-Aquitaine) was similarly named. Finally, its main plant in Saint-Cloud adopted the same nomenclature, a sign of unity within the aeronautical group.
• 1947: New aeronautical creations were launched, including the Mystère-Etendard family. Certain models were exported to Israel and India. These were the first French exports in the aeronautical sector.

It was also during this period that the Mystère II, created by the aircraft manufacturer, became the first aircraft to break the sound barrier. This attracted a great deal of interest, as the United States (following an agreement with NATO) placed an order for more than 220 aircraft.

• Between 1949 and 1952: new factories opened, notably in Mérignac (Nouvelle-Aquitaine), but also in Villaroche (Ile de France).
• 1955 : Marcel Dassault decides to concentrate all his companies at the Saint-Cloud plant, which will be managed by Benno Claude Vallières.
• 1956: The Mirage family of aircraft is gradually established and exports increase. These aircraft were real breakthroughs in aeronautics and engineering. The Mirage III reached the supersonic speed of Mach 2.

Dassault Aviation enters the business aviation market

• 1960: Deliveries of civil aircraft begin. The Mystère Falcon, based on technologies developed for military aircraft, was launched. This was Dassault’s first twin-engine business jet. It quickly conquered the American market, with American airlines such as Pan Am rushing to order aircraft.
• 1971: Following theacquisition of Bréguet Aviation, Dassault expands its business to include several military aircraft development programmes, including
  • maritime patrol aircraft
  • alpha Jets (the jets used by the Patrouille de France)
  • fighter aircraft such as the Mirage 2000, which benefits from the assembly of truly cutting-edge technologies.
• 1974: The Dassault Falcon Jet factory opens in Little Rock, Arkansas. It is entirely dedicated to the Falcon family of business jets.

The next generation of the company

• April 1986: Marcel Dassault dies, leaving his son Serge Dassault as heir, who takes over the company.
• 1987 – 1996: For around ten years, faced with the global decline in the aeronautical sector, the company Dassault unfortunately had to restructure and reduce its workforce. During this period, almost 60% of employees had to leave the company.
• 1993 and 1995: respectively the first flights of the Falcon 2000 and the Falcon 900EX.
• 1999: An important date, as Dassault Aviation, then specialising in military aviation, saw its sales increase to 68% in the civil aviation sector.

The arrival and use of computers in the manufacture of Dassault aircraft

• 2000: Serges Dassault steps down as CEO, succeeded by Charles Edelstenne.
• 2000 – 2015 : Technological advances with thearrival of computers allow manufacturers to model their models directly in virtual form. This enabled teams to work simultaneously, saving considerable time and boosting productivity. It was at this time (in 2005) that the prototype of the Falcon 7X, a three-engine jet, was machined and made directly operational, without any modifications whatsoever.
• 2013: Eric Trappier becomes the new (and current) CEO of Dassault Aviation.
• 2016: The Dassault Falcon 8X makes its first flight in the business aviation market. At the same time, the Rafale fighter jet exports and sells internationally. A symbol of aerial combat. 36 Rafales are delivered and land in India that year.
• 2021: The Falcon 6X takes to the skies for the first time (following the cancellation of the Falcon 5X project). This year is also marked by an impressive turnover of 3.1 billion euros, generated in particular by numerous Rafale placements. On 6 mid-2021, Dassault Aviation presents the Falcon 10X.
• 2025: As announced by the company, in 2025 we hope to see thearrival of the Falcon 10X on the market.

Dassault Aviation’s public appearance

French aircraft from Dassault have a good reputation, and have already made a number of public appearances. In fact, for the 14 July parades, they have already appeared over the years

• the Dassault Mirage 2000
• the Dassault Falcon 50
• the Dassault Super-Etendard
• the Dassault Rafale.

They can be seen passing every year between the Champs Elysées roundabout and the Place de la Concorde (for a few years, this parade could be held from the Place des Invalides in Paris to the Place de la Concorde, as in 1913 or 1930, for example).

As you will have noticed, the Dassault aerospace groupoperates in several sectors and industries. It is activein both civil and military aeronautics, as well as aerospace.

Dassault Aviation’s aerospace business

Dassault Aviation is a French company that creates space vehicles as well as pyrotechnic missions. The 3 space vehicles that have been created have different purposes.

Firstly, they want to study the possibility of transporting a satellite into low Earth orbit. This would be achieved by means of an airborne launch.

Other aspects such as aerodynamics and thermodynamics are being studied on shuttles already in space.

In terms of pyrotechnics, Dassault Aviation is a genuine aeronautical equipment manufacturer. It manufactures numerous spare parts, as well as systems and equipment for aircraft. What’s more, once the test phases are over, these products are used on satellites, for example. But they are also used on launchers such as Vega or Ariane, and even on launchers outside Europe.

Dassault Aviation’s military aeronautics business

The Rafale, twin-engine fighter jet

Committed to national defence through its aeronautical programmes, the aircraft manufacturer has long been building its flagship fighter : the Dassault Rafale.

This jewel of military aviation made its first operational flight in 1986. This exceptional military aircraft is versatile and can perform several tasks simultaneously, all during a flight. It is capable, for example, of carrying out defence missions as well as aerial reconnaissance and surface attack procedures. Pilots have no right to make mistakes. This is the case when they take off from an aircraft carrier with a very limited runway. Fortunately, the aircraft has ejection seats.

A veritable sky police in the event of conflict, the Rafale asserts its survivability and stealth characteristics at all times. It is also equipped withself-protection tools and an enhanced range of weapons, essential in high-risk areas. It is the elite of French fighter aircraft.

Finally, the performance of this military aircraft can also be seen in the supersonic speed achieved by the Rafale. With a maximum speed of 2223 km/h, or Mach 1.8.

Dassault and its military support mission

The aircraft manufacturer operates in the defence sector. It provides assistance in a number of areas, both logistical and technical.

They monitor the actions of some 1,000 military aircraft operating within the French air force, as well as abroad. Dassault is committed to supporting these aircraft throughout their service life, which is around 40 years. The company supports different types of aircraft delivered, such as :

• rafale
• alpha Jets (aircraft used by the Patrouille de France)
• the various models in the Mirage range

The Neuron programme

The French company has been managing the Neuron (nEUROn)programme since 2006.

This is a European programme aimed at creating a military aircraft without a pilot or crew. Its initial objectives are mainly based on innovation and technological challenges.

For the time being, the aircraft manufacturer wishes to confirm the aeronautical technology put in place to control and activate an autonomous military aircraft, with no one on board.

Several objectives have already been achieved during the demonstration flights. Among other things, the aircraft is capable of autonomously assessing threats both on the ground and in the air, as well as spotting and locating, etc

This project is evolving over time and is trying to expand its technological capabilities, so that this autonomous military aircraft is at the cutting edge of innovation.

The multi-mission Falcon

They are called Falcon multi-missions because they can be requisitioned for both military missions and civilian functions. These aircraft have a long range.

In this category you will find :

• falcon-Marine
• falcon 2000MRA
• Falcon 900MPA

These aircraft have large fuselages. They offer a wide range of possibilities for different layouts, and can be adapted to all types of mission.Each aircraft can be adapted to carry out different missions, such as :

• surveillance
• military cargo
• maritime interventions
• towing
• medical evacuations

Dassault Aviation’s civil aeronautics business

The Falcon family

When you hear the name Falcon, you are undoubtedly referring to a family of civil aircraft designed for business aviation. No, you won’t find a single airliner at Dassault. For some fifty years now, Dassault has been producing businessjetsthat meet a number of criteria and offer a wide range of travel options. This family of business jets is also one of the leaders in the range of large-cabin private jets.

Key figures for Dassault Falcon :

The Falcon family is a guarantee of quality and safety, and has an established reputation in the aviation market. Here are some key figures:

• 2500: the number of Falcon aircraft in service today.
• 80: the number of countries in the world that own aFalcon business jet .
• 16 million: the cumulative flying hours for the 2,500 Falcon aircraft (for your information, that’s almost 8 months of non-stop flying per jet!)

To maintain all these aircraft, there’s nothing like the Falcon Dassault Service, one of the largest maintenance sites located at Paris Le Bourget. There’s nothing like going to the Paris Air Show to see it for yourself.

The similarities and advantages of the different Falcons

The Falcon family has a considerable advantage in that it benefits from the acquisitions made on the military aircraft that Dassault manufactured previously.

Private jets with a high level of technological innovation

This represents significant advances intechnological innovation. These developments are particularly noteworthy in the cockpit systems, but also in theaerodynamics of business jets and the improvement in flight quality.

Dassault Falcon aircraft emit less CO²

With a view to reducing CO2 emissions, all Falcon business jets claim to consume on average 30 to 50% less fuel than their rivals. The Falcon Dassault are therefore among the least polluting aircraft (with the lowest CO2 emissions) on the business aviation market.

Falcon private jets have a distinctive design and comfort

In addition to performance, Falcon also stands out for its aesthetics, functionality and design. The cabins of these private jets offer remarkable comfort.

Dassault Aviation is constantly adapting and renewing its interiors to meet the most demanding requirements. This is the case, for example, with the Falcon 8X, whose cabin has been redesigned and reinvented 5 years after it was first put into service.

Dassault Aviation’s fleet of Falcon business jets

Further information and technical details on the various aircraft in the Falcon family can be found at the bottom of this article. Here, however, is an overview ofDassault’s fleet of business jets.

Falcon 900LX:

Following in the footsteps of the Falcon 900 family, the Falcon 900LX was certified in 2010. With a greater range than its predecessors, this long-haul business jet can fly from Moscow to New York, or from Beijing to Paris.

This trijet carries 6 passengers in unbeatable cabin comfort.

Falcon 2000 (S and XLS models):

Having received certification in 2013, these aircraft are among the leaders in the “Super Midsize jets” category.

Capable of carrying between 8 and 12 passengers, these aircraft can fly non-stop from Paris to Marrakech, for example. They have a range of between 6,000 and 7,000 km.

Falcon 7X:

Launched in 2005, there are already more than 270 Falcon 7Xs in service today. With a range of over 11,000 km, this business jet can carry up to 14 passengers over long distances.

A top-of-the-range private jet combining speed and comfort, everything has been designed to ensure you have a pleasant journey.

Falcon 8X:

Launched in 2016, the Falcon 8X has just undergone a cabin makeover. Dassault This confirms Aviation’s desire to adapt and meet its customers’ expectations as closely as possible. The Falcon 8X can travel a long-haul distance of almost 12,000 km. The Paris – Hong Kong non-stop is now yours.

Falcon 6X:

The latest aircraft in the Falcon family comes to market in 2021 with its maiden flight.

At the cutting edge of technology, it has become a benchmark in business aviation. It offers advanced versions, notably of the flight controls. It also offers long-haul travel in total comfort, with a capacity of 16 people on board.

Falcon 10X:

This has been announced for arrival in 2025. The Falcon 10Xpromises a host of new features. With the most spacious cabin in business aviation and a range of almost 14,000 km, this private jet will be ready to fly in just a few years’ time.

Dassault Falcon’s main business aviation challenges and values

With nearly 17,000 private jets in use around the world today, it’s important to stand out from the crowd. And that’s what Dassault is doing by promoting values specific to business aviation.

• Flexibility: Travel where you want, when you want! Business aviation means adapting to all types of situations and constraints.
• Time savings: according to studies, on average you save 2? hours on a journey by private jet (compared with commercial routes). This time saving can even reach 5 hours. In a world where time is money, there is no doubt that business aviation is the solution. Dassault makes it a point of honour to ensure that these aircraft are operational in the shortest possible time.
• An optimal working environment: why offer cabins that are all the more stylish, calm and connected? Because they can be real workplaces. Holding a meeting in a private jet? It’s perfectly possible. The optimisation of time is correlated with the optimisation and comfort of passengers in the cabin. That’s why Dassault Aviation is updating its private jet interiors (as with the recently refurbished Falcon 8X).
• Productivity tool: as stated above, in business aviation, time is precious. Thanks to all that private jets offer in terms of technology and comfort, there’s no doubt that concentration and performance are at a premium.

At AEROAFFAIRES, we do our utmost to select the right business jets for you. If you would like to book your private flight on board a private aircraft Dassault Aviation, contact us on +33 (0) 1 44 09 91 82, or fill in our online quote. Our aviation experts will respond to your request.