France has recently announced the design phase for a new, all-modern nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to succeed the aging Charles de Gaulle as the French fleet's flagship. The vessel's design is being headed by Naval Group and was announced on December 8th, 2020 by the French President. The warship will considerably enhance French Naval capabilities by providing a go-anywhere ability for its naval air arm.
The Navy expects the vessel to feature a running length of 984 feet and displace near 75,000 tons with drive power coming from two nuclear reactors offering the needed performance and, due to their inherent design nature, essentially unlimited range. The warship will showcase launching, retrieval, and support facilities for up to thirty of the in-development "Next Generation Fighters" (NGFs). Launching of these aircraft will involve electromagentic catapults like those now being featured on American "supercarriers". Beyond this, the warship will also carry a small fleet of medium-lift navy helicopters to cover the requisite Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), at-sea replenishment, and Search & Rescue (SAR) roles.
Comparatively, the in-service Charles de Gaulle currently fields a modest collection of Dassault "Rafale" multi-role fighters as well as special-mission (E-2C "Hawkeye") fixed-wing and rotary-wing (helicopter) types. Supported helicopters include the AS565 "Panther" and AS365 "Dauphin" lines.
Released concept art of the vessel showcases a carrier form similar to de Gaulle, particularly in its use of an angled retrieval deck running from stern to port. Catapult launchers are positioned at the angled deck and over the forecastle's section of straight deck. A compact island superstructure sits to starboard and closer to the stern in the arrangement and hangars are noted ahead of its placement. Along the edges of the flight deck are positioned various defensive-minded weapon systems and sensors to protect the ship from ranged attack.
The French Navy has not made a formal decision on whether one or two aircraft carriers will be procured before the end. In a two-carrier arrangement, one unit could be undergoing required maintenance / repair while the other actively serves - thus providing the French Navy with a ready carrier force when needed.
As it stands, the project will see design work continue into the middle part of the current decade with trials hoped for in 2036 and operational service beginning sometime on or around 2038.
This article will be updated as new information warrants.
December 2020 - Announced in December, the French Defence Ministry has begun the design phase for its new aircraft carrier to succeed the aging Charles de Gaulle. Detailed studies will continue into 2025 with trials underway by 2036. Service entry is expected in 2038.
Power & Performance Those special qualities that separate one sea-going vessel design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for French Carrier (2038).
2 x Nuclear reactors driving propeller shafts under stern. Propulsion
Essentially Unlimited Range
Structure The bow-to-stern, port-to-starboard physical qualities of French Carrier (2038).
2,000 Personnel Complement
984.0 ft 299.92 meters O/A Length
75,000 tons Displacement
Armament Available supported armament and special-mission equipment featured in the design of French Carrier (2038).
Not Available.
Air Arm Available supported fixed-wing / rotary-wing aircraft featured in the design of French Carrier (2038).
Support facilities for up to 30 Next Generation Fighters (NGFs) and unknown number of medium-lift helicopters / UAVs.
Ships-in-Class (1) Notable series variants as part of the French Carrier (2038) family line as relating to the French Carrier group.
Unnamed Vessel #1
Operators Global operator(s) of the French Carrier (2038). Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national naval warfare listing.
[ France (planned) ]
1 / 1
Image from Naval Group press release.
Going Further... French Carrier (2038) Nuclear-Powered Aircraft Carrier appears in the following collections:
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