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'{{short description|Midsize three engine long range business jet}} <!-- This article is a part of [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft]]. Please see [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]] for recommended layout. --> {|{{Infobox aircraft begin |name= Falcon 50 |image=Armee de l'Air - Dassault Falcon 50.jpg |caption=French Air Force Falcon 50 }}{{Infobox aircraft type |type= [[Business jet]] |manufacturer= [[Dassault Aviation]] |designer= |first flight= 7 November 1976 |introduction= |retired= |status= In service |primary user= [[Armee de l'Air]] |more users= [[South African Air Force]]<br>[[Portuguese Air Force]]<br>[[Italian Air Force]] |produced= 1976–2008<ref name="flightglobal.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/05/13/223620/what-crisis-business-aviation-continues-to-ride-high.-we-look-at-manufacturers-latest-offerings.html|title=News Channel - Homepage - flightglobal.com|website=Flightglobal.com|accessdate=26 April 2018|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828174249/http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/05/13/223620/what-crisis-business-aviation-continues-to-ride-high.-we-look-at-manufacturers-latest-offerings.html|archivedate=28 August 2008}}</ref> |number built=352 |unit cost=$US21.15 million (2006)<ref>{{cite web |url= http://awin.aviationweek.com/portals/awin/PDFs/BCAHandbook/2006/2006_business_airplanes.pdf |title= Purchase Planning Handbook |work= Business & Commercial Aviation |publisher= Aviation Week |date= May 2006 |url-status= live |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20170309131814/http://awin.aviationweek.com/Portals/awin/PDFs/BCAHandbook/2006/2006_business_airplanes.pdf |archivedate= 2017-03-09 }}</ref> |developed from = [[Dassault Falcon 20]] |variants with their own articles = |developed into = [[Dassault Falcon 900]] }} |} The '''Dassault Falcon 50''' is a French super-midsize, long-range [[business jet]], featuring a [[trijet]] layout with an [[S-duct]] air intake for the central engine. It has the same fuselage cross-section and similar capacity as the earlier twin-engined [[Dassault Falcon 20|Falcon 20]], but was a new design that is [[area rule]]d and includes a more advanced wing design.<ref name="Janes 88 p75">Taylor 1988, p.75.</ref> ==Design and development== [[File:9H-AVE Dassault Falcon 50EX FA50 - LSA (26547177406).jpg|thumb|Falcon 50EX]] The first prototype flew on 7 November 1976, with French [[Type certificate|airworthiness certification]] on 27 February 1979, followed by U.S. [[Federal Aviation Administration]] certification on 7 March 1979.<ref name="Janes 88 p75"/> Dassault developed a maritime surveillance and environmental protection version as the '''Gardian 50'''.<ref>Taylor 1993, p.928</ref> The Falcon 50 was later updated as the Falcon 50EX, the first of which flew in 1996,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/1996/05/01/17122/dassault-flies-falcon-50ex-for-first-time.html|title=News Channel - Homepage - flightglobal.com|website=Flightglobal.com|accessdate=26 April 2018|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090606130024/http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/1996/05/01/17122/dassault-flies-falcon-50ex-for-first-time.html|archivedate=6 June 2009}}</ref> and the last of which was delivered in 2008.<ref name="flightglobal.com"/> The Falcon 50EX features improved engines and other enhancements to give further range improvements to an already long-range jet. The Falcon 50EX designation applies to serial numbers 253–352, which marks the end of the production line for the Falcon 50/50EX. The last Falcon 50EX was built in late 2007 and delivered in early 2008. Successors to the Falcon 50 are the [[Dassault Falcon 7X|Falcon 7X]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2002/07/16/151403/longer-faster-7x.html|title=News Channel - Homepage - flightglobal.com|website=Flightglobal.com|accessdate=26 April 2018|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090606130029/http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2002/07/16/151403/longer-faster-7x.html|archivedate=6 June 2009}}</ref> and the [[Dassault Falcon 900|Falcon 900]] featuring a larger fuselage and the same [[Trijet|three-engine]] arrangement. Dassault announced in January 2008 what is essentially a replacement aircraft for the Falcon 50, codenamed the [[Dassault Falcon 5X|"SMS"]] (Super Mid Size). The basic design process, including engine selection, was supposed to be completed by early 2009. However, in a June 2009 press conference, CEO Charles Edelstenne said that all design choices had been reopened and the goal was extended to the end of the year. Dassault and [[Aviation Partners Inc.]] have announced that High Mach blended [[Wingtip device|winglets]] were being developed for the Falcon 50 as a retrofit kit.{{Citation needed|date=September 2011}} By 2018, Falcon 50s from the mid-late 1980s were priced at $0.879 to $1.6 million while 1998-2003 Falcon 50EXs can be had for $2.95 to $3.95 million.<ref name=AINdec2018>{{cite magazine |url= https://www.ainonline.com/sites/default/files/full-issues/ain_1218.pdf |title= For many models, market hitting the apex |magazine= Aviation International News |author= Mark Huber |date= December 2018 |pages= 20–21, 24}}</ref> ==Variants== ;Falcon 50 :Basic initial variant with [[Garrett TFE731|Honeywell TFE 731-3-1C]] engines and optional [[auxiliary power unit]] (APU); 252 manufactured, with one serving as a prototype for the Falcon 50EX.<ref name=TCDSp4/><ref name=TCDSp16/> ;Falcon 50EX :Marketing name for Falcon 50 with [[Garrett TFE731|TFE 731-40]] engines; an APU installed as standard equipment; changes to the [[rudder]] control system; updated avionics; and other improvements; 100 manufactured, plus one modified Falcon 50<ref name=TCDSp4>Type Certificate Data Sheet A46EU, p. 4</ref><ref name=TCDSp16>Type Certificate Data Sheet A46EU, p. 16</ref> ;Falcon 50 "Susanna" :Single Falcon 50 modified with a Cyrano IV-C5 radar and hardpoints to carry two [[AM-39 Exocet]] antiship missiles. Used by Iraq during the [[Tanker War]] and possibly carried out the attack on the [[USS Stark incident|USS Stark]] on May 17, 1987.<ref name="Garcia 2018">{{cite book |last1=Garcia |first1=Miguel |title=Iraqi Mirages in Combat: The story of the F.1EQ in Iraq |date=2018 |publisher=CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform |isbn=978-1717467553 |pages=118-124}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Leone |first1=Dario |title=How a Modified Iraqi Falcon 50 Business Jet Nearly Destroyed a US Frigate |url=https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/how-modified-iraqi-falcon-50-business-jet-nearly-destroyed-us-frigate-66772 |website=The National Interest |access-date=1 December 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=de Guillebon |first1=Hugues |title=L’attaque de la frégate Stark par un “Falcon” 50 irakien le 17 mai 1987 |journal=Le Fana de l’Aviation |date=February 2020 |issue=603 |pages=16-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Cooper |first1=Tom |title=In 1987, a Secret Iraqi Warplane Struck an American Frigate and Killed 37 Sailors |url=https://warisboring.com/in-1987-a-secret-iraqi-warplane-struck-an-american-frigate-and-killed-37-sailors/ |website=War is Boring |access-date=1 December 2020}}</ref> ==Operators== [[File:A Iranian Government Dassault Falcon 50 lands at Mehrabad Airport.jpg|thumb|right|Falcon 50 of the Iranian government landing at [[Mehrabad International Airport]] in Tehran]] [[File:Yugoslav Falcon 50 at Basle - July 1984.jpg|thumb|right|Yugoslav government Falcon 50 in 1984]] The majority of Falcon 50s are operated by corporate and individual owners. ===Military and government operators=== {{columns-list|colwidth=15em| ; Benin ; Bolivia * [[Bolivian Air Force]] ; Bulgaria * [[Bulgarian Air Force]] - former operator ; Burundi ; Djibouti * [[Djibouti Air Force]] ; France * [[French Air Force]] - former operator * [[French Navy]] operate eight Falcon 50M for maritime surveillance. ; Egypt * [[Egyptian Air Force]] - former operator ; Iran * [[Iranian Air Force]] * [[Iranian government]] ; Iraq<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://theaviationgeekclub.com/the-uss-stark-incident-that-time-a-modified-iraqi-falcon-50-business-jet-almost-sank-a-us-navy-frigate/ | title=The USS Stark Incident: That time a Modified Iraqi Falcon 50 Business Jet almost Sank a US Navy Frigate| date=2019-07-10}}</ref> ; Italy * The [[Italian Air Force]] operated four Falcon 50s from 1985 until 2005, when two aircraft were retired.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aeronautica.difesa.it/Mezzi/velivoliDotazione/Pagine/Falcon50.aspx|title=Official website Aeronautica Militare|website=difesa.it|accessdate=26 April 2018|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141215223539/http://www.aeronautica.difesa.it/Mezzi/velivoliDotazione/Pagine/Falcon50.aspx|archivedate=15 December 2014}}</ref> ; Jordan * [[Royal Jordanian Air Force]] * Jordanian Royal Flight; Libya ; Morocco * [[Royal Moroccan Air Force]] ; Portugal * [[Portuguese Air Force]] ; Rwanda ; Serbia * [[Government of Serbia]] ; South Africa * [[South African Air Force]] ; Spain * [[Spanish Air Force]] ; Sudan * Sudan Government ; Switzerland * [[Swiss Air Force]] ; Venezuela * [[Venezuelan Air Force]] }} ==Accidents and incidents== * {{Timeline-event |date={{Start date|1994|04|06|df=y}} |event=Rwandan President [[Juvénal Habyarimana]] and Burundian President [[Cyprien Ntaryamira]] were killed when the Falcon 50 they were travelling in (registration 9XR-NN) [[Assassination of Juvénal Habyarimana and Cyprien Ntaryamira|was shot down near Kigali]], Rwanda, triggering the [[Rwandan genocide]].}} * {{Timeline-event |date={{Start date|2014|10|20|df=y}} |event=[[2014 Vnukovo Airport Falcon 50 crash|Falcon 50EX F-GLSA collided with a snow plow]] while taking off from Moscow Vnukovo Airport, Russia, killing all four people on board, including the CEO of Total oil and gas company [[Christophe de Margerie]].}} ==Specifications (50EX)== [[File:FALCON - illustration.svg|thumb|side view]] [[File:Dassault Falcon 50 cabin interior.JPG|thumb|Dassault Falcon 50 cabin interior]] {{Aircraft specs |ref=Flight International<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/assets/getAsset.aspx?ItemID=14999 |title= Super Mid-Size Jets |work= Flight International |url-status= live }}</ref> |prime units?=met <!-- General characteristics --> |crew= 2 |capacity= 8 to 9 [[passenger]]s / {{cvt|1080|kg|0}} payload with full fuel |length m=18.52 |length note= |span m=18.86 |span note= |height m=6.98 |height note= |wing area sqm=46.83 |wing area note=<ref name="Janes 88">Taylor 1988, pp.75–76.</ref> |aspect ratio=<!-- sailplanes --> |airfoil= |empty weight kg= |empty weight note= |gross weight kg= |gross weight note= |max takeoff weight kg=18008 |max takeoff weight note=<br/> *'''Max Landing Weight:''' {{cvt|16200|kg|0}} |fuel capacity= |more general= <!-- Powerplant --> |eng1 number=3 |eng1 name=[[Honeywell TFE 731-40]] |eng1 type=[[turbofan]] engines |eng1 kn=16.46 |eng1 note= <!-- Performance --> |max speed kmh=1015 |max speed note= |max speed mach=0.86 |cruise speed kmh=903 |cruise speed note= / M0.85 at {{cvt|49000|ft|order=flip}} |stall speed kmh= |stall speed note= |never exceed speed kmh= |never exceed speed note= |minimum control speed kmh= |minimum control speed note= |range km=5695 |range note= |ferry range km= |ferry range note= |endurance=<!-- if range unknown --> |ceiling m=14936 |ceiling note= |climb rate ms=10.433 |climb rate note= |time to altitude= |wing loading kg/m2= |wing loading note= |fuel consumption kg/km= |thrust/weight= |more performance=<br/> *'''Take-off run:''' {{cvt|1504|m|0}} *'''Landing run:''' {{cvt|685|m|0}} |avionics= }} ==See also== {{Portal|Aviation}} {{aircontent |related= * [[Dassault Falcon 20]] * [[Dassault Falcon 900]] |similar aircraft= * [[Bombardier Challenger 300]] * [[Cessna Citation X]] * [[Embraer Legacy 450/500 and Praetor 500/600]] * [[Gulfstream G200]] * [[Hawker 4000]] |sequence= |lists= * [[List of civil aircraft]] |see also= * [[Dassault Falcon|Dassault Falcon family]] }} ==References== {{Reflist}} ===Bibliography=== * Federal Aviation Administration Type Certificate Data Sheet No. A46EU, Revision 18: Dassault Aviation Mystere-Falcon 50, Mystere-Falcon 900, Falcon 900EX; August 17, 2016 * {{cite book |last=Taylor |first=Michael J. H. |title=Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation |publisher=Studio Editions |location=London |year=1993}} * Taylor, John W. R. (editor). ''Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1988–89''. Coulsdon, Surrey, UK: Jane's Information Group. {{ISBN|0-7106-0867-5}}. ==External links== {{Commons category|Dassault Falcon 50}} * [http://www.dassaultfalcon.com/aircraft/50ex/ Dassault Falcon 50 official website] * [http://www.airliners.net/info/stats.main?id=174 Falcon 50 at Airliners.net] {{Dassault aircraft}} {{Italian military aircraft}} [[Category:Dassault Group aircraft|Falcon 0050]] [[Category:1970s French business aircraft]] [[Category:Low-wing aircraft]] [[Category:Trijets]] [[Category:Cruciform tail aircraft]] [[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1976]]'