Dassault Aviation Falcon is a French manufacturer of business jets that is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Dassault Group. Its aircraft are known for short-runway performance. It currently produces Falcon 2000LXS, Falcon 900LX, Falcon 6X, Falcon 8X, and Falcon 10X.
Dassault Aviation was originally founded in France as Société des Avions Marcel Bloch by Marcel Bloch in 1929. However, in the 1930s, France was occupied by Nazi Germany, virtually disbanding the country’s aviation industry. Bloch, a French Jewish individual, was imprisoned in the Buchenwald concentration camp until it was liberated in April 1945.
Later that year, the company became a limited liability entity, later being renamed to Dassault Aviation. In the 1940s, the company focused on building a fighter jet, later developing the Dassault Ouragan and the Dassault Mystère families.
The 1950s led to the development of several military aircraft. This includes the Mirage series. Specifically, the Mirage III, released in 1956, became one of the most exported fighters of its era. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Dassault would become France’s primary fighter jet aircraft supplier.
The 1960s also led Dassault to enter the civil aviation industry. In 1963, Dassault released its first Falcon, the Falcon 20. This was the original business jet in the Falcon family. Dassault would also launch the Falcon 75 in the late 1960s.
By the 1970s, Dassault was continuing the evolution of some of its most popular fighters. This includes the Mirage F1, which featured a more conventional wing design. The Mirage 2000 was also built in the 1970s, which featured fly-by-wire flight controls. By the end of the decade, the French government acquired a 20% share in Dassault, although it would later be sold in the late 1990s.
The 1970s also brought several business jet upgrades to the Falcon family. Dassault launched the Falcon 10, the Falcon 30, and the Falcon 50, a trijet derived from the Falcon 20, in the 1970s.
In the 1980s, Dassault Aviation launched its modern fighter jet, called the Rafale. This would later become Dassault’s flagship defense product and France’s only frontline combat aircraft. The 1980s also brought the entry of the Falcon 900, a trijet aircraft larger than the Falcon 50. In the 1990s, Dassault also released the Falcon 2000, a slightly smaller variant of the Falcon 900.
By the 2000s, Dassault had solidified itself as a premier military and business jet manufacturer. By 2005, the company introduced the Falcon 7X, an upgrade to the Falcon 900 series. Dassault continued production of the Rafale, which is still being produced today.
The 2010s and 2020s brought several upgrades to the company’s private jet offerings. This includes the introduction of the Falcon 8X and Falcon 6X, and also led to the development of the Falcon 10X, which is set to be introduced in the coming years. Dassault is also actively working on a next-generation fighter, alongside Airbus and other European aerospace manufacturers.
Dassault Aviation currently produces several aircraft. On the military side, Dassault is currently producing the Dassault Rafale, which is in full-rate production.
However, on the civilian side, Dassault offers several popular business jet aircraft in the Falcon family. This includes:
| Aircraft Model | Entry into Service | Aircraft Class | Engines | Capacity | Range |
| Falcon 6X | 2023 | Ultra-long-range | Pratt & Whitney PW812 | 16 passengers | 5,500 nautical miles |
| Falcon 8X | 2016 | Ultra-long-range | Pratt & Whitney PW307D | 16 passengers | 6,450 nautical miles |
| Falcon 2000LXS | 2015 | Heavy jet | Pratt & Whitney PW308C | 12 passengers | 4,000 nautical miles |
| Falcon 900LX | 2026 | Heavy jet | Honeywell TFE731 | 14 passengers | 4,750 nautical miles |
Additionally, Dassault is currently working on developing a new ultra-long-range business jet called the Falcon 10X. This aircraft is expected to compete against the Bombardier Global 7500 and the Gulfstream G700. Dassault estimates that the Falcon 10X will begin deliveries in 2027.
Since it was founded in the late 1920s, Dassault Aviation has produced a large variety of military and civilian aircraft. However, the company officially began producing private jets with the Falcon 20. This aircraft was upgraded several times, including the following variants:
In the 1970s, Dassault also introduced the Falcon 10, a quick, light private jet. This aircraft was produced from 1978 through 1987.
The 1970s also led to the introduction of the Falcon 50. This was one of the first long-range trijets. This family includes the following two aircraft:
In the 1980s, Dassault introduced the Falcon 900 family. This aircraft still has a variant in production today, making it one of the longest-running private jet series in history.
In the 1990s, Dassault released the Falcon 2000 series, a super-midsize twinjet platform. This would eventually become Dassault’s highest-volume modern jet line and includes:
In the 2000s, Dassault introduced the Falcon 7X family. Overall, this aircraft was produced from 2005 through 2023, eventually being replaced by the Falcon 8X. In the late 2010s, Dassault also attempted to introduce the Falcon 5X. However, engine issues prevented this aircraft from ever completing certification.
Dassault Aviation is a major aviation manufacturer based near Paris, France. It is currently listed as an S.A., a type of public limited company.
| Founded | 1929 |
| Headquarters | Saint-Cloud, France |
| Manufacturing Locations | – Mérignac, France
– Saint-Cloud, France – Argenteuil / Cergy, France – Seclin, France – Biarritz, France – Martignas, France |
| Company Type | Société Anonyme |
| Stock Symbols | Euronext Paris: AM.PA OTC: DUAVF |
| Approximate Employees | 15,000 (2025) |
| 2025 Revenue | €7.42 billion USD |
| 2025 Net Income | €1.06 billion USD |
Since Dassault Aviation has been producing business jets since the 1960s, many of its aircraft are still being flown by fractional and charter operators to this day. This includes the following companies:
