Dassault Falcon 20
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Falcon 20 (Mystère 20) HU-25 Guardian |
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_20F-5_(PH-BPS).jpg/300px-Dassault_Falcon_(Mystere)_20F-5_(PH-BPS).jpg) Civilian Falcon 20 |
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| Type | Business jet |
| Manufacturer | Dassault Aviation |
| Maiden flight | 1963 |
| Introduction | 1965 |
| Primary users | Federal Express French Navy, United States Coast Guard |
| Variants | Dassault Falcon 10 Dassault Falcon 50 |
The Dassault Falcon 20 is a French business jet and was the first of a family of business jets built by Dassault Aviation.
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[edit] Design and development
Marcel Dassault 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.
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 The aircraft proved to be so popular that production did not end until 1988, being superseded by more advanced developments of the Falcon family.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. Later developments of the Falcon 20 include the smaller Falcon 10 and larger Falcon 50, an improved three-engined development.
[edit] Variants
- Mystère/Falcon 20
- Prototype, one built.
- Mystère/Falcon 20C
- Initial production version. known originally as the Standard Falcon 20.
- Falcon 20CC
- One aircraft similar to the Falcon 20C, equipped with low-pressure tyres.
- Mystère/Falcon 20D
- Higher thrust engines and lower fuel consumption and more fuel capacity.
- Mystère/Falcon 20E
- Higher thrust engines, higher zero fuel weight.
- 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 AiResearch ATF306 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) General-Electric ATF 3-6A-4C turbofan engines.
- Falcon ST
- This designation was given to two Falcon 20s used by the French Air Force 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 Guard version of the Falcon 20G.
- HU-25B Guardian
- Pollution control version for the US Coast Guard.
- HU-25C Guardian
- Drug interdiction version for the US Coast Guard, equipped with a Westinghouse APG-66 search radar.
- 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.
[edit] Operators
[edit] Military operators
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- Libyan Air Force (Mirage Weapons Trainer)
[edit] Specifications
General characteristics
- Length: 56 ft (17 m)
- Wingspan: 54 ft (16.5 m)
- Height: 18 ft (5.5 m)
- Wing area: 450 ft (42 m)
- Empty weight: 25,500 lb (11,567 kg)
- Useful load: 32,000 lb (14,515 kg)
- Powerplant: 2× Garrett ATF3-6-2C Turbofan
Performance
[edit] See also
Related development
Comparable aircraft
Related lists
[edit] References
- HU-25 "Guardian" Medium Range Surveillance Aircraft. Aircraft and Cutters. U.S. Coast Guard (2007-02-16). Retrieved on 2007-08-01.
- Gates, Brian (1978). Falcon Mystere 20 Production History. Leicester, England: Midland Counties Publications. ISBN 0 904597 12 1.
[edit] External links
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