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"CHARLES DE GAULLE" READY FOR SERVICE

By Frédéric Lert/Karl Schwarz

France is currently the only nation apart from the USA to have a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier in service. At any rate, the "Charles de Gaulle" was declared ready for action in May 2001 after a long series of setbacks during development and trials. It is thus the only carrier in Europe with a conventional takeoff and landing capability, as the Foch was taken out of service in 2000 after over 40 years, and the British, Italian and Spanish ships are only suitable for vertical takeoff aircraft.

However, compared with the supercarriers of the US Navy, the "Charles de Gaulle" is only a lightweight. Its displacement is little more than half as big, and only a maximum of 40 aircraft and helicopters can be carried on board instead of 70. "Naturally we had to make some compromises," as they are well aware at the Marine Nationale, given the horrendous cost of the carrier. However, they are convinced that they have arrived at an efficient design.

"For example, the Rafale is lighter than the American F-14 or F-18, yet it remains an extremely powerful multi-purpose aircraft," said a spokesman. This meant it was possible to downscale the catapults, which can handle up to 100 takeoffs per day. The "Charles de Gaulle" also has the advantage of a much tighter turning circle. The ship is fitted with a computer-controlled stabilisation system which makes flying operations possible even in rough seas. Four fast acting stabilisers are attached to the hull, and 20 tonnes of balancing weights which can move from side to side at 1 m/s are held below the deck.

Although the length of the flightdeck has hardly changed compared with the Foch and is still cutting it fine despite having been lengthened, there is 50% more surface available. The catapults are now 75m long instead of 50m, thus enabling launches with takeoff weights up to 25 tonnes. Takeoff speeds are between 240 and 275 km/h, depending on payload.

Landing is facilitated by the DALAS laser landing system, which measures the location of the aircraft accurately and provides the landing officer with accurate information so that he can guide the pilot down. This is necessary because the Charles de Gaulle has only three arresting wires instead of four. This means that the landing run is only 200 meters, with the aircraft at times only three metres away from the edge of the deck - "an impressive manoeuvre", as one pilot comments ironically.

For self-defence the carrier is equipped with the Système d'armes antimissile (SAAM), which has over 32 Aster 15 guided missiles in two positions. The Asters are intended to pick up threatening anti-ship guided missiles at distances of up to 30km. For short-range air defence there are two SADRAL launching systems, each with six Mistral guided missiles and eight air defence guns. However, the system is not yet complete as the Aster 15's are still in the qualification phase and will not enter service until some time in 2002.

In any case it will be some considerable time yet before the "Charles de Gaulle" is up to its full fighting strength. For example, during the first major exercise in which the Charles de Gaulle took part, in the Mediterranean, most of the aircraft carried were upgraded Super Etendards from flotillas 11F and 17F. Some of these were already at Standard 4, i.e. they had better self-defence systems and reconnaissance pods.

The Super Etendards were fitted for deployment in Kosovo with the Atlis laser targeting pod and are now also able to use precision weapons such as the AS-30 or the GBU-12. The hit rate in Kosovo was among the best, at 73%. Additional changes will bring the aircraft up to Standard 5 and improve night-time capability significantly.

This is also necessary because introduction of the Dassault Rafale is being stretched out. During the summer Flotilla 12F had only five aircraft at its disposal, and until the summer of 2002 it will not have more than a dozen. Moreover, these planes will only be at LF1 or F1 standard, and are thus limited to the fighter role. Not until 2006 will the first F2 standard Rafales arive, which will then also be able to deploy stand-off weapons such as SCALP/EG.

Nevertheless, the pilots of the new fighter aircraft are enthusiastic. With its fly-by-wire controls and many automated functions, it is quite revolutionary. "The Rafale is fantastic to fly," said one pilot. "You can control it with two fingers on the sidestick. The thrust is enormous. As soon as one has understood the systems, one can concentrate fully on the mission and weapon deployment. Flying the plane then becomes a trivial matter."

The Rafale is landed at a 16-o angle of attack, slightly higher than on the Super Etendard. However, automatic thrust control makes the work a lot easier. To become accustomed to modern types, some pilots in the Marine have flown on Mirage 2000's with the Armée de l'Air.

As well as the Rafale, during the most recent exercise the other new acquisition of the Aéronavale was on board. However, only two airborne early warning E-2C Hawkeyes are currently in service with Flotilla 4F. A third one will not arrive until 2002, and discussions are still under way with Northrop Grumman regarding the purchase of a fourth aircraft.

This will be necessary if there are to be two Hawkeyes on board at all times, thus ensuring continuous radar coverage. At present they are making do by operating flying crew changes, with refuelling carried out on the deck with engines running. The E-2C is then back in the air within around ten minutes.

As well as the fixed wing aircraft, the Charles de Gaulle naturally also has some helicopters on board. Dauphins are used as rescue helicopters, hovering close to the carrier during takeoff and landing so that they can intervene immediately if required. Then, SA 330 Pumas from combat SAR squadron EH 1/67 of the Armée de l'Air also come when needed. Other guests such as two Sea Kings from Naval Aviation Wing 5 are also welcome.

The "Charles de Gaulle" gives the "grande nation" an independent force projection capability, i.e. the capability to take part in wide-ranging operations far from home. However, such capabilities have their price, as no doubt was only too apparent in this case, thanks to problems of all kinds and programme delays. It is said that the ship alone cost around 20 billion francs (DM 6 billion). Then another 6 billion francs went on three E-2C's and a further 46 billion francs (DM 14 billion) on 60 Rafales M/N.

A second carrier with substantially the same design would therefore be very good value at 14 billion francs (EUR 2.13 billion). But the Ministry of Defence is evidently unable to make up its mind on such an investment. As a result, France will probably be without an aircraft carrier for at least 70 days every year. Every seven and a half years, moreover, the carrier has to spend fifteen months in the dry dock so that the nuclear fuel rods in the reactors can be replaced.

Evidently no one is thinking of that at the moment. For the time being the primary concern is to get the "Charles de Gaulle" up to full strength. This will require a number of minor fixes and a change of propeller blades. The next big trip will be five months in the Gulf and Asia, commencing in January 2002. However, it could also be sent to the Gulf to relieve the British carrier, HMS Illustrious, before Christmas.

From page 48 of FLUG REVUE 1/2002

"Charles de Gaulle" chronology