Dassault Aviation launched an EASy IV flight deck upgrade program for new-production Falcon 2000LXSs, as well as for retrofit in all EASy-equipped Falcon 2000 models, the manufacturer announced Tuesday at NBAA-BACE.
To be available at the end of the decade, the upgrade brings the twinjet in line with the other Falcons with EASy IV avionics, including the Falcon 6X and 8X in forward fit and older Falcon 7X and 8X trijets in retrofit.
Powered by Honeywell Primus Epic avionics, EASy IV provides faster processing, higher-resolution displays, and new functions. Features include enhanced graphical flight planning, advanced datalink communications, 2D and 3D airport moving maps, additional Jeppesen chart features, a next-generation flight management system with RNP approach capability, ADS-B In with airborne and surface traffic, and SiriusXM weather. It further includes improved takeoff and landing data performance computations.
When combined with the FalconEye combined vision system, Dassault said the system improves situational awareness, enabling pilots to more safely navigate through almost any weather.
“The EASy IV program has been a request from our customers for years,” said Carlos Brana, executive v-p of civil aircraft for Dassault Aviation, noting it brings the latest safety technology to the aircraft. Dassault has produced more than seven hundred 2000-series Falcons since service entry in 1995.
The EASy IV comes as Dassault continues to progress on development of its upcoming flagship, the 7,500-nm, Mach 0.925 wide-cabin Falcon 10X. The French airframer confirmed in July that certification on the program had slipped to 2029, but the flight-test program is spooling up with the first prototype taking to the skies on June 19 with the second following on September 24.
Brana estimated that the third and fourth flight-test aircraft will join the program next year. Noting that about 100 hours have been accrued thus far as the pilots expand the flight envelope and test systems, Brana said the aircraft has performed as anticipated.
Meanwhile, Dassault continues to expand the capabilities of the 5,500-nm 6X, which entered service in late 2023. This includes working toward high-altitude airport certification, Cat II low-visibility approach certification, and EASA approval for LED light detection on the FalconEye combined vision system.
However, Brana confirmed that Dassault has ended production of the large-cabin Falcon 900, saying the company continues to evaluate potential upgrades. While Brana did not refer to this as a potential for such an upgrade, Dassault has trademarked the name Falcon 9X.
Meanwhile, Dassault Aviation chairman and CEO Éric Trappier told reporters at NBAA-BACE that the Middle East conflict continues to bring geopolitical challenges and the supply chain still faces difficulties. “Despite these and other factors, the business jet industry has shown remarkable [resiliency].”
Air traffic is growing, and business aviation is playing a key role in global business expansion. “This activity translates to sales, particularly in the United States,” he said.
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