Serious delays in the development of the Silvercrest engine have
forced Dassault to terminate its agreement with Safran, and cancel the Falcon 5X programme.
The ultra-wide business jet will be replaced in Dassault's
four-strong line-up of twin- and tri-engined aircraft by a new Falcon model,
which is scheduled to enter service in 2022, says the French airframer. The new
aircraft will be powered by the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW800.
Dassault Aviation chairman Eric Trappier says: “There is still a
strong market need for a brand new, long-range aircraft with a very large
cabin, so I have decided to launch a new Falcon project powered by Pratt &
Whitney Canada engines, featuring the same cross section as the 5X [and] a
range of 5,500nm [10,180km].”
The delivery of the 12,000lb-thrust class Silvercrest engines
was originally planned for the end of 2013 to comply with the 5X flight test
schedule. It was the first time the airframer had seleced its fellow-French
engine manufacturer on a business jet programme. However, Safran has faced
recurrent technical issues during the programme's development, forcing Dassault
to delay entry-into-service of the clean-sheet twin fro its target date of 2017
to 2020.
The most recent setback was announced by Safran in early
October. The company revealed during a press conference at the NBAA convention
in Las Vegas that it had encountered new problems with the turbofan’s high
pressure compressor during ground and flight tests, further delaying 5X
certification. In response, a frustrated Trappier declared that he had not
ruled out switching to an alternative engine supplier.
Dassault says the three-year “slippage” has led to a number of
5X order cancellations, including 12 in 2016. It has been an especially painful
blow for the company which desperately needs the new product to boost its
falling backlog with sales and used aircraft values in the large-cabin segment
continuing to languish.
“Considering the magnitude of the risks involved both on the
technical and schedule aspects of the Silvercrest programme, Dassault Aviation
initiates the termination process of the Silvercrest contract leading to the
end of the 5X and plans to start negotiations with Safran,” says the company.
Pratt & Whitney Canada vice-president sales and marketing
Irene Makris says the Montreal-based company is "honoured" to have
its engine chosen. Variants of the PW800 already power the Gulfstream G500 and
G600. "We look forward to further develop our long-standing relationship
with [Dassault] on this new platform," she adds. P&WC PW300 family
engines already power three members of the Falcon range: the 8X, 7X and
2000LXS.
The only other customer for the Silvercrest is the Textron
Aviation Cessna Citation Hemisphere.
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