Dassault Falcon 20
Encyclopedia
The Dassault Falcon 20 is a French
business jet and was the first of a family of business jets built by Dassault Aviation
.
gave the go-ahead for production of an eight or ten seat executive jet or military liaison aircraft the Dassault-Breguet Mystère 20 in December 1961. The Mystère 20 was a low-wing monoplane with two rear-mounted Pratt & Whitney JT12A-8
engines. The prototype, registered F-WLKB, first flew on the 4 May 1963 at Bordeaux-Merignac. Under the influence of Pan American the aircraft was re-engined with two General Electric CF700
engines and some dimensions were increased. Pan American signed a contract to distribute the Mystère 20 in the western hemisphere and ordered 40 aircraft with options on 120. The re-engined aircraft first flew on 10 July 1964. The first production aircraft flew on 1 January 1965 and both French
and American
certification was awarded in June 1965. Deliveries began to the Pan American outfitting facility at Burbank Airport, California. In 1966 the company re-designated the American-delivered aircraft as the Fan Jet Falcon, this later became the Falcon 20. Military orders from Australia and Canada were received. All non-American aircraft were fitted out before delivery at Bordeaux-Merignac. In 1967 Pan American Business Jets Division increased their firm orders to 160 aircraft.
Some Falcon 20s powered by General Electric CF700
engines were reengined with Garrett TFE731 engines under AMD-BA Service Bulletin No. 731. These aircraft were redesignated with a "-5" after the model number. Volpar, Inc. worked on a program to reengine Falcon 20s with the Pratt & Whitney Canada 305 engines, but the program was abandoned before a FAA STC was awarded.
FAA Supplemental Type Certificate SA5858SW, held by Dassault Falcon Jet allows the installation of underwing pylons on the Fan Jet Falcon, Fan Jet Falcon Series D and Fan Jet Falcon Series E. This modification is commonly used to modify Falcon 20s to operate as special mission aircraft with underwing stores.
The improved Falcon 200 featured more advanced jet engines and other major improvements to increase range, capacity and comfort. The aircraft proved to be so popular that production did not end until 1988, being superseded by more advanced developments of the Falcon family. The United States Coast Guard
operates a model called the HU-25 Guardian which is used as a high-speed spotter aircraft to locate shipwreck survivors and direct slower-moving aircraft and rescue vessels, and interdict aerial and shipborne drug trafficking. The Falcon 20G, HU-25 and Falcon 200 were powered by Garrett ATF3
engines.
A total of 473 Falcon 20s and 35 Falcon 200s were built by the time production ended in 1988.
Later developments of the Falcon 20 include the smaller Falcon 10
, the larger 30-seat Falcon 30 (not developed) and Falcon 50
, an improved three-engined development.
Mystère/Falcon 20C
Falcon 20CC
Mystère/Falcon 20D
Mystère/Falcon 20E
Mystère/Falcon 20F
Falcon 20FH
Falcon 20G
Falcon 20H
Falcon 200
Falcon ST
HU-25A Guardian
HU-25B Guardian
HU-25C Guardian
HU-25C+ Guardian
HU-25D Guardian
Guardian 2
CC-117
Fan Jet Falcon
Falcon Cargo Jet
Falcon 20-C5, -D5, -E5, -F5
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
business jet and was the first of a family of business jets built by Dassault Aviation
Dassault Aviation
Dassault Aviation is a French aircraft manufacturer of military, regional and business jets, a subsidiary of Dassault Group.It was founded in 1930 by Marcel Bloch as Société des Avions Marcel Bloch or "MB". After World War II, Marcel Bloch changed his name to Marcel Dassault, and the name of the...
.
Design and development
Marcel DassaultMarcel Dassault
Marcel Dassault, born Marcel Bloch was a French aircraft industrialist.-Biography:Dassault was born in Paris. After graduating from the lycée Condorcet, Breguet School and Supaero, he invented a type of aircraft propeller used by the French army during World War I and founded the Société des...
gave the go-ahead for production of an eight or ten seat executive jet or military liaison aircraft the Dassault-Breguet Mystère 20 in December 1961. The Mystère 20 was a low-wing monoplane with two rear-mounted Pratt & Whitney JT12A-8
Pratt & Whitney JT12
|-See also:-External links:*...
engines. The prototype, registered F-WLKB, first flew on the 4 May 1963 at Bordeaux-Merignac. Under the influence of Pan American the aircraft was re-engined with two General Electric CF700
General Electric CJ610
|-See also:-External links:*...
engines and some dimensions were increased. Pan American signed a contract to distribute the Mystère 20 in the western hemisphere and ordered 40 aircraft with options on 120. The re-engined aircraft first flew on 10 July 1964. The first production aircraft flew on 1 January 1965 and both French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
certification was awarded in June 1965. Deliveries began to the Pan American outfitting facility at Burbank Airport, California. In 1966 the company re-designated the American-delivered aircraft as the Fan Jet Falcon, this later became the Falcon 20. Military orders from Australia and Canada were received. All non-American aircraft were fitted out before delivery at Bordeaux-Merignac. In 1967 Pan American Business Jets Division increased their firm orders to 160 aircraft.
Some Falcon 20s powered by General Electric CF700
General Electric CJ610
|-See also:-External links:*...
engines were reengined with Garrett TFE731 engines under AMD-BA Service Bulletin No. 731. These aircraft were redesignated with a "-5" after the model number. Volpar, Inc. worked on a program to reengine Falcon 20s with the Pratt & Whitney Canada 305 engines, but the program was abandoned before a FAA STC was awarded.
FAA Supplemental Type Certificate SA5858SW, held by Dassault Falcon Jet allows the installation of underwing pylons on the Fan Jet Falcon, Fan Jet Falcon Series D and Fan Jet Falcon Series E. This modification is commonly used to modify Falcon 20s to operate as special mission aircraft with underwing stores.
The improved Falcon 200 featured more advanced jet engines and other major improvements to increase range, capacity and comfort. The aircraft proved to be so popular that production did not end until 1988, being superseded by more advanced developments of the Falcon family. The United States Coast Guard
United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
operates a model called the HU-25 Guardian which is used as a high-speed spotter aircraft to locate shipwreck survivors and direct slower-moving aircraft and rescue vessels, and interdict aerial and shipborne drug trafficking. The Falcon 20G, HU-25 and Falcon 200 were powered by Garrett ATF3
Garrett ATF3
|-See also:-External links:*...
engines.
A total of 473 Falcon 20s and 35 Falcon 200s were built by the time production ended in 1988.
Later developments of the Falcon 20 include the smaller Falcon 10
Dassault Falcon 10
|-See also:-References:*...
, the larger 30-seat Falcon 30 (not developed) and Falcon 50
Dassault Falcon 50
|-See also:-References:* Taylor, John W R. . Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1988-89. Coulsdon, Surrey, UK:Jane's Information Group. ISBN 0-7106-0867-5.-External links:* *...
, an improved three-engined development.
Variants
Mystère/Falcon 20- Prototype, one built.
Mystère/Falcon 20C
- Initial production version. known originally as the Standard Falcon 20 both examples converted to D model.
Falcon 20CC
- One aircraft similar to the Falcon 20C, equipped with low-pressure tyres.
Mystère/Falcon 20D
- Higher thrust engines (GE CF700-2DGeneral Electric CF700|-See also:-External links:* *...
) and lower fuel consumption and more fuel capacity.
Mystère/Falcon 20E
- Higher thrust engines (GE CF700-2D-2General Electric CF700|-See also:-External links:* *...
), higher zero fuel weightMaximum Zero-Fuel WeightThe Zero Fuel Weight of an airplane is the total weight of the airplane and all its contents, minus the total weight of the fuel on board....
.
Mystère/Falcon 20F
- Full leading edge slats and more fuel capacity.
Falcon 20FH
- This was the original designation of the Falcon 200 prototype.
Falcon 20G
- Maritime patrol and surveillance version, equipped with two Garrett AiResearchGarrett AiResearchGarrett AiResearch was a manufacturer of turboprop engines and turbochargers, and a pioneer in numerous aerospace technologies. It was previously known as Aircraft Tool and Supply Company, Garrett Supply Company, AiResearch Manufacturing Company, or simply AiResearch...
ATF3-6-2CGarrett ATF3|-See also:-External links:*...
turbofan engines.
Falcon 20H
- This was the original designation of the Falcon 200.
Falcon 200
- Improved variant, powered by two 2360-kg (5,200-lb) Garrett ATF3Garrett ATF3|-See also:-External links:*...
-6A-4C turbofan engines and with more fuel. First flown 30 April 1980.
Falcon ST
- This designation was given to two Falcon 20s used by the French Air ForceFrench Air ForceThe French Air Force , literally Army of the Air) is the air force of the French Armed Forces. It was formed in 1909 as the Service Aéronautique, a service arm of the French Army, then was made an independent military arm in 1933...
as systems training aircraft. The aircraft were equipped with the combat radar and navigation systems of the Mirage IIIE.
HU-25A Guardian
- United States Coast GuardUnited States Coast GuardThe United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
version of the Falcon 20G. 41 built. Equipped with two Garrett AiResearchGarrett AiResearchGarrett AiResearch was a manufacturer of turboprop engines and turbochargers, and a pioneer in numerous aerospace technologies. It was previously known as Aircraft Tool and Supply Company, Garrett Supply Company, AiResearch Manufacturing Company, or simply AiResearch...
ATF3-6-2CGarrett ATF3|-See also:-External links:*...
turbofan engines.
HU-25B Guardian
- Pollution control version for the US Coast Guard equipped with side-looking airborne radar (SLAR) under fuselage. Seven converted from HU-25As.
HU-25C Guardian
- Drug interdiction version for the US Coast Guard, equipped with a Westinghouse APG-66 search radar and WF-360 Forward looking infraredForward looking infraredForward looking infrared cameras, typically used on military aircraft, use an imaging technology that senses infrared radiation.The sensors installed in forward looking infrared cameras, as well as those of other thermal imaging cameras, use detection of infrared radiation, typically emitted from a...
turret. Nine HU-25As converted.
HU-25C+ Guardian
- Upgrade of HU-25C, with improved APG-66(V)2 radar and new FLIR turret. All nine HU-25Cs converted.
HU-25D Guardian
- Upgraded HU-25A, with AN/APS-143B(V)3 Inverse synthetic aperture radarInverse synthetic aperture radarInverse synthetic aperture radar is a technique to generate a two-dimensional high resolution image of a target.ISAR technology utilizes the movement of the target rather than the emitter to create the synthetic aperture...
(ISAR) and same FLIR as HU-25C+. 15 upgraded.
Guardian 2
- Maritime patrol and surveillance version of the Falcon 200. Never put into production.
CC-117
- Canadian military designation of Falcon 20C from 1970.
Fan Jet Falcon
- The Falcon 20 was marketed in North America under this name.
Falcon Cargo Jet
- Conversion of Falcon 20 to light cargo aircraft. Large numbers purchased/converted by Federal Express for overnight courier service.
Falcon 20-C5, -D5, -E5, -F5
- Falcon 20 aircraft equipped with Garrett TFE-731-5AR-2C or TFE-731-5BR-2C engines. Also includes adaptation of bleed air, anti-ice, hydraulic, fuel, electrical and engine control systems and installation of ATTCS (automatic takeoff thrust control system).
Operators
Civilian operators
- Grand Aire ExpressGrand Aire ExpressGrand Aire Express was an American airline based in Swanton, Ohio, USA. It operated passenger and cargo charter services, as well as charter management services. Its main base is Toledo Express Airport, Toledo, Ohio. Grand Air now operates as a fixed-based operator and charter operator from it's...
- Phoenix AirPhoenix Air (USA)Phoenix Air, or Phoenix Air Group, is an airline based in Cartersville, Georgia, USA. It operates charter services and is the world's largest owner-operator of Grumman Gulfstream I aircraft...
- USA Jet AirlinesUSA Jet AirlinesUSA Jet Airlines is an American air carrier with its headquarters on the grounds of Willow Run Airport and in Van Buren Township, Michigan. USA Jet operates on-demand air charter passenger and freight flights out of Willow Run Airport as well as aircraft on a government contract out of Kirtland...
Military operators
- Royal Australian Air ForceRoyal Australian Air ForceThe Royal Australian Air Force is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF was formed in March 1921. It continues the traditions of the Australian Flying Corps , which was formed on 22 October 1912. The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts...
- Three in service from 1967 to 1989.- No. 34 Squadron RAAFNo. 34 Squadron RAAFNo. 34 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force transport squadron. It is currently based at Canberra International Airport in the Australian capital Canberra, where it operates two Boeing 737 Business Jets and three Bombardier Challenger 604s.-History:...
- No. 34 Squadron RAAF
- Belgian Air Component (2 x 20E operated from 1973)
- Royal Canadian Air ForceRoyal Canadian Air ForceThe history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...
- Canadian ForcesCanadian ForcesThe Canadian Forces , officially the Canadian Armed Forces , are the unified armed forces of Canada, as constituted by the National Defence Act, which states: "The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces."...
- French Air ForceFrench Air ForceThe French Air Force , literally Army of the Air) is the air force of the French Armed Forces. It was formed in 1909 as the Service Aéronautique, a service arm of the French Army, then was made an independent military arm in 1933...
- French NavyFrench NavyThe French Navy, officially the Marine nationale and often called La Royale is the maritime arm of the French military. It includes a full range of fighting vessels, from patrol boats to a nuclear powered aircraft carrier and 10 nuclear-powered submarines, four of which are capable of launching...
- Imperial Iranian Air Force
- Imperial Iranian Navy
- Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps
- Royal Jordanian Air ForceRoyal Jordanian Air ForceThe Royal Jordanian Air Force is the air force branch of the Jordanian Armed Forces.-Early days:...
- Lebanese Air ForceLebanese Air ForceThe Lebanese Air Force is the aerial warfare branch of the Lebanese Armed Forces. The seal of the air force is constituted of a Roundel with two wings and a Lebanese Cedar tree, surrounded by two laurel leaves on a blue background.-History:...
- Libyan Air ForceLibyan Air ForceThe Libyan Air Force is the branch of the Libyan Armed Forces responsible for aerial warfare. In 2010, before the 2011 Libyan civil war, the Libyan Air Force personnel strength was estimated at 18,000, with an inventory of 374 combat capable aircraft operating from 13 military airbases in...
(Mirage Weapons Trainer)
- Royal Norwegian Air ForceRoyal Norwegian Air ForceThe Royal Norwegian Air Force is the air force of Norway. It was established as a separate arm of the Norwegian armed forces on 10 November 1944. The RNoAF's peace force is approximately 1,430 employees . 600 personnel also serve their draft period in the RNoAF...
- Pakistan Air ForcePakistan Air ForceThe Pakistan Air Force is the leading air arm of the Pakistan Armed Forces and is primarily tasked with the aerial defence of Pakistan with a secondary role of providing air support to the Pakistan Army and the Pakistan Navy. The PAF also has a tertiary role of providing strategic air transport...
- Two aircraft in service fitted with electronic warfareElectronic warfareElectronic warfare refers to any action involving the use of the electromagnetic spectrum or directed energy to control the spectrum, attack an enemy, or impede enemy assaults via the spectrum. The purpose of electronic warfare is to deny the opponent the advantage of, and ensure friendly...
equipment.- No. 24 Squadron Blinders
- Sudanese Air ForceSudanese Air ForceThe Sudanese Air Force is the air force operated by the Republic of the Sudan. As such it is part of the Sudanese Armed Forces.-History:The Sudanese Air Force was founded immediately after Sudan gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1956. The British assisted in the Air Force's...
- Syrian Air ForceSyrian Air ForceThe Syrian Air Force is the Aviation branch of the Syrian Armed Forces. It was established in 1948.-History:The end of World War II led to a withdrawal of the United Kingdom and France from the Middle East, and this included a withdrawal from Syria...
- United States Coast GuardUnited States Coast GuardThe United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...