Dassault is inching closer to the launch of its new super-midsize business jet, the latest in its Falcon line. Charles Edelstenne, Dassault chairman and CEO, confirmed in Paris last month that the company would unveil development details of the super-midsize next year. Dassault has defined most of the characteristics of the eight- to 10-seat, long-range aircraft, and selection of the main partners is under way. The airplane is expected to enter service in 2013.
In July the airframer selected a Rolls-Royce engine to power the twinjet. Four other engine makers (Honeywell, GE, Pratt & Whitney Canada and Snecma) had competed for the contract. The 10,000-pound-thrust-class RB.282-31, the first of a new line of engines in the 6,000- to 20,000-pound-thrust class, will give the aircraft a higher cruise speed than the 6,000- to 7,000-pound-thrust engines in current super-midsize jets.
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