The Minister for Defence, Helen McEntee TD, has welcomed the arrival of the Air Corps’ new Dassault Falcon 6X aircraft. The latest addition to the Air Corps’ fleet complements the delivery in September of the third Airbus C-295 aircraft. The purchase of the aircraft was announced in December 2024, with the newly built aircraft having spent several months at the Dassault facility in Little Rock, in the United States, getting the interior fitted. The aircraft returned to Paris Le Bourget last Friday for final preparations before today’s delivery flight.
The Falcon 6X will replace the Learjet 45, is a future-proofed, new-generation jet aircraft with advanced fuel efficiency and a maximum range of over 5,000 nautical miles. It can comfortably reach destinations such as the Western Coast of the USA. Following a period of crew familiarisation and training, the aircraft is expected to enter service early in the new year.
The aircraft performed a flypast of RWY28 at Baldonnel prior to landing shortly before 3.00 pm. The arrival of the aircraft at Casement Aerodrome was attended by the Assistant Secretary General of the Department of Defence, Ms Aileen Nolan, representing the Minister, the General Officer Commanding the Air Corps, Brigadier General Rory O’Connor, members of the joint Air Corps/ Department of Defence team who delivered the project and representatives of Dassault Aviation S.A.
Commenting on the delivery of the new aircraft, Minister McEntee said, “The Dassault Falcon 6X is a next-generation aircraft which will enhance the State’s transport, airlift and medical evacuation capabilities and provide the State with an independent and flexible air transport service, which is an increasingly essential requirement to assist the Government in meeting Ireland’s national and international obligations. In addition, the aircraft will be used for a broad range of other taskings, including the evacuation of Irish citizens from critical situations, air-ambulance patient transfers, medical evacuation or repatriation of Irish Defence Forces personnel deployed on overseas missions as well as providing logistics support for the transport of supplies to Irish Defence Forces overseas missions. The delivery of the Dassault Falcon 6X strategic reach aircraft represents a significant enhancement of the State’s transport, airlift and medical capabilities, and is further evidence of the Government’s ongoing commitment to enhance the capabilities of our Defence Forces.”
Also commenting was The Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Rossa Mulcahy said, “Today marks a significant milestone for the Irish Air Corps as we welcome the Falcon 6X into service. This aircraft represents a major step forward in the State’s strategic reach, delivering enhanced capability in airlift, medical evacuation, and government transport. Its range, performance, and advanced systems will enable us to support Irish citizens and Defence Forces personnel across the globe with greater speed, safety, and flexibility. The arrival of the Falcon 6X also comes at an important moment in our development as we progress toward becoming an Air Force. It reflects not only an investment in modern equipment, but in the future role, ambition, and operational reach of Ireland’s air capability. The Falcon 6X will serve the State for many years to come, and its arrival highlights our commitment to building a modern, responsive, and forward-looking organisation.”
Technical Specifications
Falcon 6X Performance
- Range @ Mach .80 (613 miles per hour) 5,500 nm / 10,186 km
- Maximum Mach Operating Speed Mach .90 (690 miles per hour)
- Maximum Certified Altitude 51,000 ft / 15,545 m
- Takeoff Distance 5,115 ft / 1,560 m
- Landing Distance 2,440 ft / 744 m
Engines
- Type 2 Pratt & Whitney PurePower PW812D
External dimensions
- Height 24 ft 6 in / 7.47 m
- Length 8 4 ft 3 in / 25.68 m
- Wing Span 85 ft 1 in / 25.94 m
Cabin dimensions
- Cabin Height 6 ft 6 in / 1.98 m
- Cabin Width 8 ft 6 in / 2.58 m
- Cabin Length (excluding flight deck and baggage) 40 ft 4 in / 12.30 m
- Cabin Volume (excluding flight deck and baggage) 1,843 ft³ / 52.2 m³
- Baggage Volume 155 ft³ / 4.4 m³
Weights
- Maximum Takeoff Weight 77,500 lb / 35,153 kg
- Maximum Landing Weight 66,200 lb / 30,028 kg
- Maximum Zero-Fuel Weight 45,900 lb / 20,820 kg
- Maximum Fuel Weight 33,800 lb / 15,331 kg
