Dassault Aviation is making steady progress toward an early 2021 planned first flight for its latest and roomiest aircraft, the Falcon 6X, despite the upheaval caused by the coronavirus epidemic.

“Bringing the Falcon 6X to market on schedule is a top priority for the company. Our planning and production staff have been diligent and resourceful in adapting procedures to new sanitary guidelines to keep this program running smoothly,” said Dassault Aviation Chairman and CEO Eric Trappier. “Our suppliers have also made extraordinary efforts to support us. We are grateful to them all.”

The first of the three pre-production aircraft that will take part in flight certification has been powered up and has entered ground testing. Aircraft no. 2 and 3 are in advanced stages of assembly and long cycle parts production for serialized production has already begun. Certification and entry into service are set for 2022, in keeping with the original timetable. The second aircraft recently had its wings mated to the fuselage and the third aircraft is in the early stages of final assembly. Each will be heavily instrumented and, like aircraft no. 1, will be capable of performing aerodynamic, performance and systems testing.