Saint-Cloud, France, March 14, 2022 – Two Dassault Falcon 900LX business jets will enter service with the Royal Air Force, providing VIP transport for senior defence and government officials. Due to begin operating this summer, they will replace a fleet of four BAe 146 aircraft, upgrading range capability and substantially reducing operating expense, fuel consumption and emissions.
The
aircraft are being acquired directly by aircraft management and
services company Centerline AV Limited of Bristol, UK, which will
operate and support the 900LX units on behalf of the Ministry of Defence
(MoD). Centerline will initially operate the aircraft with mixed
civilian and RAF crews. The 900LX’s will replace the esteemed BAe146 in
what the UK MoD terms ‘Command Support Air Transport’—transporting
senior defence and government officials and occasionally members of the
Royal Family. The aircraft were acquired in an open tender against
various other business aircraft models. A Royal Air Force spokesman
praised the aircraft as “modern and efficient.”
The
900LX is known for its robust construction, reliability, superior
handling and excellent short-field capability. Its classic trijet
configuration is valued by many operators for its ability to allow more
direct overwater routings with an extra margin of safety. “Dassault
Aviation is honoured to have been selected to provide these two Falcon
900LX’s to Centerline for use by the UK Ministry of Defence, and we look
forward to strengthening this relationship over the coming years,” said
Dassault Aviation Chairman and CEO Eric Trappier. “With more than 550
airplanes sold to date, the 900-series aircraft is a proven performer
and is entrusted with critical missions throughout the world by
governments and leading businesses.”
The
12-14 seat 900LX has a range of 4,750 nm (8,800 km). As with all
Falcons, the 900LX benefits from Dassault’s fighter heritage, which
ensures superior aerodynamics and responsiveness during flight. The
aircraft’s EASy II flight deck, with its large screens, sharp graphics
and intuitive features, assures optimal crew coordination and
situational awareness. On the business aviation front, Dassault Aviation
has topped customer service surveys from Aviation International News
for the past three years. The company has a factory service network
encompassing 40 locations worldwide, including major facilities in the
UK operated through its TAG Maintenance Services brand.
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