Marine Nationale Albatros
On 24 January 2025, a Falcon 2000LXS with registration F-WATM, was photographed landing at Bordeaux-Mérignac by Raphaël Savry. The aircraft, bearing the Albatros-inscription, successfully completed its inaugural flight.
The Falcon 2000LXS Albatros is set to replace the Falcon 50MS and Falcon 200 Guardian in the AVSIMAR-role (Avions de Surveillance et d’Intervention Maritime, Maritime Surveillance and Reaction Aircraft).
The Marine Nationale (Aéronautique Navale, French Navy) currently operates the Falcon 50MS with 24 Flotille at Lorient/Lann-Bihoué and the Falcon 200 with 25 Flotille at Tahiti/Faaa, with a detachment at Nouméa/La Tontouta (New Caledonia).
The test registration F-WATM is a tribute to Éric Gérard, whose call sign was Tango Mike. Éric Gérard was a former French Navy-fighter pilot who joined Dassault Aviation as a test pilot in 1991. He tragically lost his life in an aircraft accident in September 2024.
The AVSIMAR-programme includes the acquisition of twelve Falcon 2000LXS Albatros'. To date, seven aircraft have been firmly ordered under a contract signed in 2020, while five remain optional.
The production of the Falcon 2000 is part of an offset programme linked to the 2016 Indian Air Force Rafale contract. Reports suggest that the first three Falcon 2000s will be manufactured in France, with the remaining aircraft built in India. However, all conversions to the Albatros-configuration will be completed in France.
Credit photo: Raphaël Savry