×
Aircraft / Aviation Vehicles & Artillery Small Arms Warships & Submarines Military Ranks Military Pay Scale (2024) Special Forces

FS Charles de Gaulle (R91)


Nuclear-Powered Aircraft Carrier


France | 2001



"FS Charles de Gaulle R91 became the first French-made, nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and the only true carrier in service with the French Navy."

Power & Performance
Those special qualities that separate one sea-going vessel design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for FS Charles de Gaulle (R91).
2 x K15 Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) and 4 x diesel-electric engines developing 40,230 horsepower each while driving 2 x shafts astern.
Propulsion
27.0 kts
31.1 mph
Surface Speed
Essentially Unlimited
Range
Structure
The bow-to-stern, port-to-starboard physical qualities of FS Charles de Gaulle (R91).
1,950
Personnel
Complement
857.9 ft
261.49 meters
O/A Length
211.2 ft
64.36 meters
Beam
30.9 ft
9.43 meters
Draught
42,000
tons
Displacement
Armament
Available supported armament and special-mission equipment featured in the design of FS Charles de Gaulle (R91).
4 x SYLVER 8-cell surface-to-air missile launchers (MBDA Aster 15 missiles).
2 x Sadral 6-cell short-range surface-to-air missile launchers (Mistral missiles).
8 x 20mm GIAT 20F2 dual-purpose close-defense cannons
Air Arm
Available supported fixed-wing / rotary-wing aircraft featured in the design of FS Charles de Gaulle (R91).
Up to 40 aircraft of various makes and types including:

Dassault Super Etendard fighters (transitioning to Dassault Rafale M fighters), Dassault Mirage 2000 strike fighters, Northrop Grumman E-2C Hawkeye AEW aircraft, Eurocopter AS 565MB Panther (OR 2 x Eurocopter AS 322 Cougar OR Eurocopter Super Frelon Helicopters), and 2 x Eurocopter Dauphin Helicopters.
Ships-in-Class (1)
Notable series variants as part of the FS Charles de Gaulle (R91) family line as relating to the Charles de Gaulle group.
FS Charles de Gaulle (R91)
Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 06/05/2019 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

The Charles de Gaulle (R 91) is a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier currently in service with the French Navy. She stands as the first French-produced nuclear-powered surface craft ever and features a variety of modern high-tech systems that make her major player on the global stage. She fields the powerful naval variant of the Dassault Rafale (known by the designation of "Rafale M") and can also sport a variety of other specialized aircraft and helicopters as needed. The Charles de Gaulle (or "CDG") is current flagship of the French Navy - also known as the "Marine Nationale".

Though relatively smaller than her Western counterparts, the Charles de Gaulle is nevertheless a potent carrier designed to fit French Navy interests. Her island superstructure is held along the starboard side though well forward when compared to Western designs. The superstructure contains most of the detection, communications and radar equipment systems. Most of the vessels surface area is made up of her flight deck and includes an angled portion running from rear starboard/stern-to-port side. The design features noticeably smooth contour lines running above the waterline.

As with most carriers on today's seas, the Charles de Gaulle makes her offensive presence known through her onboard air wing. She can field up to 40 types of various makes and models as needed but more traditionally sports Super Etendards and Dassault Rafales fighters, Grumman E-2C Hawkeye aircraft, and SA365 Dauphin series naval helicopters. For defensive measure, the Charles de Gaulle can call upon her battery of 4 x 8 cell SYLVER launchers firing the MBDA Aster 15 series surface-to-air missile or the 2 x 6 cell Sadral launchers fitted with Mistral short-range surface-to-air missiles. Additionally, the CDG is covered from close-in aerial or surface threats with her array of 8 x 20mm GIAT 20F2 series single-barrel cannons. Supporting systems include an ARBR21 Detector suite, ARBB 33 Countermeasures suite, decoy launchers, ARBG2 MAIGRET Interceptor system and SLAT anti-torpedo countermeasures.

The Charles de Gaulle was sent into combat in support of Allied forces during Operation Enduring Freedom. The Charles de Gaulle, along with a French Navy contingent of ships and submarine, launched daily raids and reconnaissance sorties against Taliban forces in Afghanistan using her Super Etendards, Rafale, Hawkeye and helicopter aircraft while in direct contact with active belligerent ground-to-air positions. The vessel and her Super Etendards later took part in reconnaissance leading up to Operation Anaconda, officially ending her involvement in the region by May of 2007.

The Charles de Gaulle was first ordered in 1986 and not laid down until 1989 at DCN Brest Naval shipyard (the vessel then known as the Richelieu). She was launched in 1994 and officially commissioned in 2001 and - in a departure from historical tradition that called for two carriers to be in active service at any one time - currently remains in active service with the French Navy as its only carrier. The Charles de Gaulle makes her homeport in Toulon, France and is aptly nicknamed "CDG" by her crews. The vessel was named after French General and Free French Forces statesman Charles de Gaulle.

Content ©MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.

February 2015 - It was revealed that the Charles de Gaulle was formally committed to French actions against ISIS (Islamic State) forces in Iraq. The vessel would support the ongoing air campaign against the regional foe.

February 2017 - Charles de Gaulle (R91) is currently undergoing a massive modernization program intended to keep the warship a viable component of the French military for decades more. The planned work will improve the onboard combat system, NATO interoperability, and install the Thales Smart-S Combat Management System (CMS). Support for the Dassault Rafale fighter will also be addressed as the Dassault Super Etendard fleet has been completely retired from service aboard the carrier. With the changes in place, it is expected that the vessel will serve until 2039 and beyond.

June 2019 - The Charles de Gaulle is slated to be retired in 2040, covering four decades of service to the French Navy. Plans are underway for a successor, either conventionally-powered or nuclear.

Operators
Global operator(s) of the FS Charles de Gaulle (R91). Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national naval warfare listing.
National flag of France

[ France ]
1 / 3
Image of the FS Charles de Gaulle (R91)
Image from the United States Department of Defense DVIDS network.
2 / 3
Image of the FS Charles de Gaulle (R91)
Image from the United States Department of Defense DVIDS network.
3 / 3
Image of the FS Charles de Gaulle (R91)
Image from the United States Department of Defense DVIDS network.

Going Further...
FS Charles de Gaulle (R91) Nuclear-Powered Aircraft Carrier appears in the following collections:
HOME
NAVAL WARFARE INDEX
WARSHIPS BY COUNTRY
SHIPBUILDERS
COMPARE WARSHIPS
SHIPS BY CONFLICT
SHIPS BY TYPE
SHIPS BY DECADE
MODERN VESSELS
Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Cookies

2024 Military Pay Scale Military Ranks of the World U.S. Department of Defense Dictionary Conversion Calculators Military Alphabet Code Military Map Symbols Breakdown U.S. 5-Star Generals List WWII Weapons by Country World War Next

The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

Part of a network of sites that includes GlobalFirepower, a data-driven property used in ranking the top military powers of the world, WDMMA.org (World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft), WDMMW.org (World Directory of Modern Military Warships), SR71blackbird.org, detailing the history of the world's most iconic spyplane, and MilitaryRibbons.info, cataloguing military medals and ribbons. Special Interest: RailRoad Junction, the locomotive encyclopedia.


©2024 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • Content ©2003-2024 (21yrs)