France’s Falcon 8X-based Archange spy jet makes first flight

France's New Falcon 8X ‘Archange’ Takes Flight

Reviving a Lost Capability France has officially launched the flight testing phase of its most advanced electronic intelligence aircraft, the Falcon 8X-based Archange. Developed to replace the prematurely retired C-160G Gabriel SIGINT aircraft, the Archange took to the skies for the first time on July 25, 2025, from Dassault Aviation’s facility in Bordeaux-Mérignac. The milestone flight marks the beginning of restoring France’s long-range airbor…

France’s Falcon 8X-based Archange spy jet makes first flight

The first aircraft developed under France’s Archange program has completed its maiden flight, according to the country’s defense procurement agency, the Direction générale de l’armement (DGA). The aircraft is part of a three-unit fleet intended to replace the C-160G Gabriel signals intelligence (SIGINT) aircraft, retired in 2022.  Launched in 2019, Archange (Avion de Renseignement à CHArge utile de Nouvelle GEnération) is scheduled to deliver th…