Rolls-Royce completes certification on the Pearl 10X, the engine for Dassult’s forthcoming Falcon 10X
October 16, 2025
Rolls-Royce has completed all major certification testing on its Pearl 10X engine and is preparing its submission to the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) — a significant milestone in the Dassault Falcon 10X programme.
The propulsion specialist said the test campaign confirmed the engine’s technical maturity, setting the stage for EASA’s review and the Falcon 10X’s first flight.
Rolls-Royce Pearl 10X completes certification testing ahead of EASA review
Rolls-Royce confirmed that the Pearl 10X has successfully completed its full test envelope, including durability runs, environmental assessments, performance validation, and airborne trials aboard its 747-200 flying testbed. The programme also verified the engine’s ability to operate on 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
“The test phase has confirmed the maturity of the product,” Rolls-Royce said, while declining to forecast when EASA certification will be granted.
The company is now assembling final reports and technical data for the regulator’s evaluation.
Bharat Forge to manufacture Pearl 10X engine components for Rolls-Royce
On 16 October, Rolls-Royce signed a new agreement with Bharat Forge Ltd. to manufacture and supply fan blades for the Pearl 700 and Pearl 10X engines, deepening its collaboration with one of India’s leading aerospace component manufacturers.
The deal, signed at Rolls-Royce’s Dahlewitz facility near Berlin, supports the company’s goal of doubling its supply-chain sourcing from India by 2030 and building local manufacturing capacity under the Make in India initiative.
Bharat Forge has been a key supplier to Rolls-Royce’s business aviation programmes since 2020 and delivered its first zero-defect fan blade for the Pearl 700 in 2024. It will now expand into producing precision components for the new Pearl 10X.
Pearl 10X: powering Dassault’s next-generation Falcon 10X
The Pearl 10X is the exclusive powerplant for the upcoming Dassault Falcon 10X, making it a pivotal element in the aircraft’s ultra-long-range performance ambitions.
The first Falcon 10X prototype is in final assembly at Dassault’s Bordeaux-Mérignac facility, though no first flight date has been publicly confirmed. Rolls-Royce says it remains “on track to support Dassault’s programme, including the upcoming flight-test campaign.”
To prepare for service entry, Rolls-Royce has opened a customer support centre in Mérignac, adjacent to Dassault’s final assembly line, to provide maintenance and technical assistance once operations begin.
Inside the advanced design and technology of Rolls-Royce’s Pearl 10X engine
Rolls-Royce describes the Pearl 10X as the most powerful member of the Pearl family. It combines the Advance2 core with a high-performance low-pressure system, delivering over 18,000 lbf of thrust and around 5% better fuel efficiency than previous models.
A standout innovation is the use of 3D-printed combustor tiles: the first time Rolls-Royce has deployed additive manufacturing at this scale in a commercial engine. The design allows more complex geometries, improved cooling, and enhanced durability.
Other technologies include a blisked fan, efficient high-pressure compressor, and shroudless high-pressure turbine, optimising both weight and aerodynamics.
How the Pearl 10X compares to rival business jet engines
In the ultra-long-range, large-cabin business jet segment, engine performance is a critical differentiator.
The Rolls-Royce Pearl 700, rated around 18,250 lbf, powers Gulfstream’s G700 and G800, with over 70 units delivered.
GE Aerospace’s Passport engine, producing roughly 18,900 lbf, powers Bombardier’s Global 7500 and the upcoming Global 8000.
For the Falcon 10X, the Pearl 10X must not only match these rivals in thrust and efficiency but also exceed them in sustainability, lifecycle costs, and aftermarket support.
Next steps: EASA certification, flight testing and entry into service
With testing completed, Rolls-Royce will now submit its data to EASA for detailed evaluation of airworthiness, emissions, safety margins, and durability.
The regulator’s review timeline remains uncertain, but certification is a prerequisite before Dassault can begin full flight testing.
Once airborne, the Falcon 10X prototype will undergo an extensive campaign covering systems integration, structural loads, performance validation, and operational readiness.
Dassault and Rolls-Royce are targeting 2027 for Falcon 10X entry into service, positioning the aircraft to compete directly with Gulfstream’s G700/G800 and Bombardier’s Global 8000 in the top tier of business aviation.
Featured image: Rolls-Royce
