The French Navy has performed the initial flight of its Falcon 2000LXS Albatros maritime surveillance and intervention aircraft at the Bordeaux-Mérignac airport.
It followed Paris’ award to local defense manufacturer Dassault Aviation in 2020 for up to 12 aircraft that will replace the military’s aging Falcon 50 Surmar and Falcon 200 Guardian aerial patrol fleets.
The aircraft’s maiden flight was confirmed by a local plane spotter at the site, according to Naval News. The plane was seen with the identification mark of its designated role on the fuselage.
France’s Ministry of Defense and Dassault have not yet released statements regarding the milestone.
Shipments Start This Year
Based on the procurement announcement in 2020, deliveries of the first seven 2000LXS systems to the military will be facilitated from this year onward.
The initial tranche will be produced in France, while the second half will be manufactured in India as part of offset arrangements between the French government and Dassault in 2016.
Upon arrival, all 2000LXS units will then be converted into the French Armed Forces’ special Albatros configuration, which features an advanced optronic turret, modified observation windows, an under-fuselage multifunction radar, dedicated communication systems, and a search and rescue kit release technology.
Dassault’s Falcon 2000LXS Albatros
The Falcon 2000LXS Albatros is a 20-meter (66-foot) aircraft with a wingspan of 21 meters (69 feet).
It has a fuel capacity of 16,660 pounds (7,556 kilograms) and seating for up to 10 passengers.
The Albatros is fitted with twin Pratt & Whitney Canada PW308C turbofan engines for speeds of up to 1,064 kilometers (661 miles) per hour, a service ceiling of over 14,000 meters (45,932 feet), and a range of 4,000 nautical miles (7,408 kilometers/4,603 miles per hour).
