Dassault Falcon 7X arrives in Australia
The Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF's) first leased Dassault Falcon 7X aircraft has arrived in Canberra, the Australian Department of Defence announced on 16 April.
The aircraft will be operated by Number 34 Squadron as part of the Special Purpose Aircraft fleet, based at Defence Establishment Fairbairn in the Australian Capital Territory.
The new aircraft will replace the Bombardier CL604 Challengers and provide a larger passenger load, modern communication and increased range and endurance. The jet can accommodate three crew members and carry up to 14 passengers.
The aircraft has a maximum operating speed of Mach 0.9 and a range of up to 11,000km. The Falcon features a high-tech wing, an advanced glass cockpit with a heads-up display and an infrared enhanced vision system. It also has satellite communications.
Its ability to land at almost all airfields will provide the RAAF with accessibility to regional and remote airfields.
The fleet will continue to be maintained by Northrop Grumman.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Future of the US Navy’s Arleigh Burke programme remains unclear]()
Future of the US Navy’s Arleigh Burke programme remains unclear
The US Navy does not have a precise date for the award of the procurement contract for the third Arleigh Burke-class destroyer despite having the funds to advance with the programme in FY2025.
-
![US Navy may look to foreign suppliers to accelerate shipbuilding programmes]()
US Navy may look to foreign suppliers to accelerate shipbuilding programmes
The US Navy (USN) is currently reassessing its acquisition efforts and seeking ways to reduce the multiple delays across the shipbuilding initiatives.
-
![Italy orders two ships as work begins on others along with deliveries and updates]()
Italy orders two ships as work begins on others along with deliveries and updates
The Italian Navy is being refreshed with two new ships ordered, while in the past six months steel was cut for a new frigate, an enhanced frigate was delivered and Horizon-class frigates passed a design review.
