Dassault’s “FalconEye” Combined Vision System Now Certified on Falcon 8X

Dassault Aviation’s revolutionary Combined Vision System (CVS) has been certified by the European Aviation Safety Agency and the Federal Aviation Administration for use on the new Falcon 8X ultra-long range trijet.

Known as FalconEye, the system is the first Head-Up display to blend synthetic, database-driven terrain imaging and actual thermal and low-light camera images into a single view, providing an unprecedented level of situational awareness to flight crews in challenging weather conditions in all flight conditions.

Developed in partnership with Elbit Systems Ltd, FalconEye features a fourth-generation multi sensor camera whose six sensors present top quality images in both the visible and infrared spectrums. These images are combined with three dedicated worldwide synthetic vision databases that map terrain, obstacles, navigation and airport and runway data. The 30 x 40 degree field of view, one of the widest angles on any HUD, ensures full viewing coverage.

FalconEye’s combined SVS/EFVS capability was successfully demonstrated during an exhaustive two year test campaign covering all types of operating service, including fog, mist, snow and other severe weather conditions.

FalconEye is offered as an option on the Falcon 8X, the Falcon 2000S/LXS twinjets and the modernized version of the Falcon 900LX unveiled at the National Business Aviation Association Convention in October 2016. Almost all Falcon 8X customers have selected FalconEye, which was previously certified for use on the Falcon 2000 series and the Falcon 900LX.

The Falcon 8X entered service in October 2016 and has already been delivered to customers in a number of key markets, including Europe, the United States, the Middle East, India and Brazil.

Falcon Eye was recently nominated for the 2017 Collier Trophy, awarded annually by the National Aeronautic Association for leading achievements in aeronautics and astronautics. The advancements it offers have also been recognized by the European Commission’s SESAR program, which named the Augmented Approach to Land initiative, co-led by Dassault Aviation, as winner of the 2017 Single European Sky Award – Innovation and Technology Category, citing the benefits SVS and EFVS can bring to future commercial air transport operations.

“Not only will FalconEye provide an unprecedented level of pilot situational awareness and flight safety,” said Philippe Rebourg, Dassault Aviation’s project test pilot, “it will greatly enhance the efficiency and cost effectiveness of customers’ fleets.” 

On the Falcon 8X, FalconEye will eventually be qualified not only for use on a single HUD but also in dual HUD configuration. By providing the same information and views heads-up to both the flying and non-flying pilot, the dual HUD system will further improve crew coordination.