Dassault Aviation to develop VORTEX spaceplane demonstrator under French Government agreement

The VORTEX demonstrator aims to advance both civil and military capabilities through a dual-use platform that supports autonomous orbital missions and transport to and from space. Dassault Aviation’s roadmap is designed to strengthen France’s strategic position in the evolving space economy, in line with its longstanding role in national aeronautical sovereignty.

Drawing on its established expertise as a designer and integrator of complex airborne systems, Dassault Aviation will build on its experience from past space projects such as Hermès, the X-38, and the IXV. The demonstrator will focus on validating key capabilities including hypersonic flight control, advanced thermal protection, and flight management systems.

These technical trials are essential for reducing uncertainty and preparing future operational decisions on space-based systems. The project also reflects Dassault’s commitment to rapid innovation, leveraging the NewSpace approach to balance performance, speed, risk, and cost.

“Like Dassault Aviation’s civil and military aircraft, the VORTEX spaceplane is designed to be highly versatile,” said Eric Trappier. “It will contribute to transforming the uses of the space sector and opening up new fields of application. At the crossroads of aviation and space technologies, the VORTEX will undoubtedly pave the way for a new generation of space aeronautics, consolidating France’s strategic position as a leading space power. Dassault Aviation is proud to take on this historic challenge and thanks the French Ministry of Armed Forces for its confidence.”