As an industrial architect and systems integrator, it is vital to be able to develop and implement cutting-edge technologies, and to harness data. Dassault Aviation possesses this rare ability, making it a pivotal player in aerospace R&D in France and Europe, in both civil and military aviation.
Our commitment to innovation is evidenced by our R&D budget: €539 million in financed R&D and €483 million in self-financed R&D. Our current development projects include the Rafale F4 and Export standards, the FCAS, Falcon 10X, Falcon 8X Archange, Falcon 2000 Albatros and drones.
Dassault Aviation is the only major French aerospace company to make the prestigious Leaders de l’innovation en France list. Published in 2023 by Les Echos newspaper and Statista, this ranking recognizes innovation in products and processes, as well as companies’ overall corporate commitment to innovation.
We are determined that business aviation continue to be a key driver in the decarbonization of the aviation sector. Our aircraft are ideally suited to the incorporation of innovations that help reduce CO2 emissions. Our customers, most of whom are companies, are fully behind us in this approach. We are exploring a number of technological solutions, including Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), which we regard as highly promising: over its life cycle, SAF emits 80% to 90% less CO2 than fossil kerosene. Our Falcons are already equipped to fly with SAF containing 50% non-fossil fuel.
Right from the design stage and throughout their life cycle, we are actively reducing the environmental footprint of our aircraft. As part of France’s civil aviation research council (Corac), we are actively involved in a series of technology maturation projects aimed at achieving sustainability in aviation.
Since 2008, the Clean Sky 1 and 2 programs have enabled us to collaborate with some twenty major partners in seven European countries. We are continuing with our efforts in this area by heading up the Clean Aviation program’s Concerto project.
Sesar, a European joint-undertaking devoted to improving air traffic management, has contributed to the development of our FalconEye system, which provides safe access to all airports in poor weather conditions, including those with limited technical resources.
We are exploring the use of artificial intelligence to enhance the operational performance of aviation, with a view to harnessing the full potential of the concept of collaborative combat. Our teams are involved in proof-of-concept research with academics and leading companies in the field.
€483 million in self-financed R&D expenditures
