The French Navy is actively planning for a future aircraft carrier and new flagship. In a video on Twitter, the French navy has revealed the details of the future aircraft carrier PA-NG, which will succeed Charles de Gaulle in 2038.
The video was published on the official Twitter account of the French Navy on 12 April. The navy noted that the vessel, known as Porte-avions de nouvelle génération (PA-NG), will be larger and more powerful than the existing aircraft carrier and equipped with nuclear propulsion.
“From 2038, he will succeed Charles de Gaulle. A larger, more powerful, nuclear-powered vehicle will allow the French navy to maintain its ability to design air and naval forces, adapting to the challenges ahead. “Travel to the future to discover PA-NG!” the publication on Twitter said.
A partir de 2038, il succédera au Charles de Gaulle. Plus grand, plus puissant, doté d’une propulsion nucléaire, il permettra à la 🇫🇷 de conserver sa capacité de projection de puissance aéromaritime en s'adaptant aux défis à venir. Voyage dans le futur à la découverte du PA-NG ! pic.twitter.com/l1PXXyR56G
— Marine nationale (@MarineNationale) April 12, 2022
According to the information shared by French Navy the new aircraft carrier PA-NG will have a length of 305 meters and a displacement of 75,000 tons. It will include two K22 nuclear reactors, a missile system, a surveillance radar, and an EMALS [electromagnetic aircraft launch system] take-off system. The new French aircraft carrier will be able to carry up to 30 new generations of NGF [New Generation Fighter] fighters.
Earlier at the end of April last year a French delegation visited the American aircraft carrier USS Gerald Ford, which was then continuing with its tests and trials.
According to a press release from the US Navy, this French delegation, led by General Armament Engineer Nicolas Hue and Vice Admiral Eric Malbruno, in charge of plans and programs at the headquarters of the French National Navy, has managed to monitor the operation of electromagnetic catapults and advanced equipment. to stop. This will allow France to refine the design of its next-generation aircraft carrier, the text said.
“This visit was particularly useful for the future of naval aviation because it allowed [our French allies] to gain first-hand experience with our systems and talk to our technicians,” said Captain Paul Lanzilota.
A visit to the USS Ford allowed DGA to see the integration of EMALS and AAG into a new aircraft carrier design and prepare for the integration of the next E-2D Advanced Hawkeye.
The US Navy said the French delegation was aware of “23 new technologies”, some of which have led to some difficulties in their development. This is also the case with electromagnetic catapults and the AAG system.
At the end of the last year, Biden administration has approved the sale of an Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) worth more than $1.32 billion for France’s future aircraft carrier, according to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA). The deal is going to proceed through the Foreign Military Sale (FMS) route, as reported by Naval News.