Charles de Gaulle (R91) is the only serving French
aircraft carrier and is the flagship of the French Navy (Marine
Nationale).
She is the tenth French aircraft carrier, the first
French nuclear-powered surface vessel, and the first nuclear-powered
carrier built outside of the United States Navy.
She is named after French statesman and general
Charles de Gaulle.
The ship uses a complement of Dassault Rafale M and E-2C Hawkeye, as
well as modern electronics and Aster missiles. She is the second
largest European carrier, after the Admiral Kuznetsov, and arguably
the most powerful European aircraft carrier, at least until the
introduction of the Franco-British future carriers.
The carrier replaced Foch, a conventionally powered aircraft carrier,
in 2001.
|
CHARLES DE GAULLE
CLASS Specifications |
|
Country of Manufacture |
France |
|
Number in Service |
1 |
|
Crew |
1,150 crew, 550
aircrew and 50 air support staff |
|
Armament |
Up to 40 aircraft
including; Rafale M, Super Étendard, E-2C Hawkeye and AS 565 and NH 90
helicopters, ASTER SAM system, Mistral missiles and eight Giat 20mm guns |
|
Length |
261.5m |
|
Beam |
31.5m |
|
Draught |
8.45m |
|
Displacement |
38,000 tonnes |
|
Powerplant |
Two pressurised water
reactors producing 56,000kW |
|
Performance |
Speed 27 knots, can cruise
for 5 years at 25 knots without refuelling |
|
First of Class |
1999 |
