Charles de Gaulle-class Aircraft Carrier

The Charles de Gaulle-class Aircraft Carriers are a pair of medium sized aircraft carriers in service in the Marine Nationale from 2001 onwards. Originally, the Charles de Gaulle was nuclear powered, however numerous problems with the nuclear propulsion system of the Charles de Gaulle led to it being converted to using gas turbines for power generation. The Richelieu was launched in 2008 and commissioned in 2010 with an improved nuclear reactor design.

Specifications

 * Type: Aircraft Carrier
 * Service Period: 1999-Present
 * Characteristics:
 * Length: 858 feet (261.52 meters)
 * Beam: 212 feet (64.62 meters)
 * Draft: 31 feet (9.45 meters)
 * Displacement: 40,880 tons (Standard); 46,300 tons (Full Load)
 * Crew: 2,000
 * Endurance: 45 days
 * Power: 216,000 shp
 * Propulsion: Gas turbines, turbo-electric drive, 4 shafts
 * Range: 19,600 nautical miles (36,300 kilometers)
 * Speed: 32.6 knots (60.38 km/hr)
 * Sensor Suite:
 * DRBJ 11 B tridimensional air search radar
 * DRBV 26D air search radar
 * DRBV 15C low altitude air search radar
 * Arabel target acquisition radar
 * Electronic Warfare and Countermeasures
 * ARBR 21 Detector
 * ARBB 33 Countermeasures suite
 * ARBG2 MAIGRET Interceptor
 * Sagaie decoys launchers x 4
 * SLAT (Système de lutte anti-torpille) torpedo countermeasures
 * Armament:
 * 4 x 8 cell A-43 Sylver launchers carrying the MBDA Aster 15 surface to air missile.
 * 2 x 6 cell Sadral launchers carrying Mistral short range missiles
 * 8 x Giat 20F2 20 mm cannons.
 * Aircraft Carried: Up to 50 fixed wing aircraft

Unit Run

 * MN Charles de Gaulle (R91)
 * MN Richelieu (R92)