The Royal Air Force took delivery of its second and last Dassault Falcon 900LX dedicated to the short-haul transport of VIPs, including the British Royal Family, on August 1, 2022.
Designated Envoy IV CC.1, the two aircraft are currently flown by mixed crews of RAF and civilian pilots. The first Envoy IV aircraft completed its maiden flight mission on June 7, 2022. After receiving military upgrades, they will eventually be induced by the RAF No. 32 Squadron in April 2024.
“The aircraft provides assured, secure, timely and discreet air transport of high priority military personnel and small items of mission critical freight to, from and within operational areas,” the RAF commented upon receiving the second jet. “The declaration of full-service capability comes only two months after delivery of the first aircraft.”
The procurement agency of the British Ministry of Defence announced it would acquire the two Dassault Falcon 900LX corporate jets from the company Centreline in February 2022. They replaced the four BAe 146 aircraft previously used in the same role, which were retired in April 2022.
The Falcon 900LX became the first Dassault and fourth French airplane ever to be operated by the RAF. Powered by three Honeywell TFE731-60 turbojets, the 900LX has a maximum range of 4,750 nm (8,800 km) and a maximum speed of Mach .84, according to its manufacturer.