"Charles de Gaulle" aircraft carrier: la puissance française

(To Tiziano Ciocchetti)
26/04/17

The aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle is the first surface unit of the nuclear-powered Marine Nationale.

The transalpine flagship, with its air group aboard - comparable to the Carrier Air Wing of the Navy - composed of approximately 40 aircraft, is able to ensure the four missions assigned: dissuasion, prevention, projection and power. With a flight deck of 12000 square meters, the de Gaulle it has a stabilization system (SATRAP) that allows it to operate with critical sea conditions, minimizing the rolling and skidding of the ship.

The operational heart of the aircraft carrier is the COC (Combat Operations Center), fundamental for coordinating air defense and air-tactical missions, which performs the function of collecting data to obtain the so-called tactical picture, very useful in planning attack operations. Inside the operators keep the various weapon systems of the ship under control; there are three workstations for three technicians each responsible for controlling the functioning of a radar: the ESM e jamming against a possible aggressor, a central area for the coordination of air defense missions, with ASTER missile missiles - simultaneous launch capability of 10 missiles against 10 different targets - long range, radar-guided; short-range defense is ensured by SADRAL IR-guided missiles. These two air defense systems are complementary and integrated with electronic warfare (EW) systems.

In addition, the air operations of the SEM aircraft are coordinated here (Super-Etendard modernize), Flurry (photo) and E-2C; two stations for two FCs (Fighter Controller, guidebook) that can work in symbiosis with the E-2C via 16 link. Two additional stations allow you to follow helicopter missions, not just those of the de Gaulle - SAR missions during flight activity - but also from other naval units.

The naval group is the largest carrier of power projection missions conducted by the French Navy. It usually includes an aircraft carrier, an air raid frigate and a team supplier. The group can be integrated, in the event of an increase in the threat, by anti-aircraft and antisom frigates, a nuclear attack submarine and other support units. This air and naval team, like all naval forces, receives direct support from antisom patrols in case of need Atlantic 2.

The eight antisom frigates supplied to the Marine Nationale have as their main mission the protection of the strategic oceanic force and the naval group against the submarine threat, thanks to the use of towed sonar and helicopter for the antisom fight.

The anti-aircraft frigates are intended to ensure the protection of naval forces against missiles and air threats; provide missiles for this purpose Tartar and helicopters for model anti-ship fighting Panther. The five frigates class Lafayette - F 710 Lafayette, F 711 Surcouf, F 712 Courbet, F 713 Aconit, F 714 Guepratte - are designed primarily to preserve and enforce the interests of the French Republic in maritime spaces and to contribute to the solution of crises outside national borders. Equip with helicopters for surface fighting Panther, can provide support to an intervention force, special operations or peacekeeping missions, as well as the protection of commercial traffic.

A fundamental component of the naval group consists of a team refueler, with which to support and refuel the task force units of fuel, ammunition, food and spare parts for the duration of the mission. These ships guarantee the permanence of naval forces in their operational areas, whatever the distance from their bases. The French naval force has four such units in service: la Meuse (A 607), the Yes (A 608), the Marne (A 630) and the We Are (A 631, in the photo).

The Airborne Group, whose composition is determined according to the mission of the group as well as the tactical situation in which it can operate, includes in some cases helicopters of the Air Force (CSAR tasks) or light aviation of the Army (logistics tasks) , is able to carry out different actions: attack land and sea targets, guarantee air coverage to the forces operating both on land and at sea and nuclear deterrence.

The two squadrons aboard the de Gaulle, the 11F and the 17F, are equipped with the Super-Etendard modernize (SEM, in the photo), aircraft with high maneuverability both at low and medium altitude characteristic that makes it an excellent attack vector.

The arrival of the 5 SEM has allowed the Aeronavale to increase its operational capabilities, especially at night. The new update has allowed the Super Etendard to acquire new capabilities, such as transporting more bombs, an additional 960 kg tank under the wings and the Damoclès pod in a ventral position under the fuselage.

The use of the guide kit Enhanced Paveway 2 combined with the use of GPS with the laser, allowed the Super Etendard to extend its operating radius, allowing it to perform more accurately, both during the day and at night and in all weather conditions. In addition, the aircraft can be armed with the ASMPA nuclear missile (Air-Sol Moyenne Portée Amélioré).

Another important element of the GAE (Embarked Aircraft Group) is the 35F helicopters. Equipped with 9 Dolphin (3 SA 365F and 6 SA 365N) and with 5 Alouette III, highly appreciated by the crews for their flexibility of use and ease of handling, they have the task of guaranteeing the safety of the aircraft carrier and crews during maneuvers of take-off and set-up.

The nuclear aircraft carrier de Gaulle, with its naval group, therefore represents the ability to project and dissuade, in any place on the planet, from France, able to pursue its political interests as well as the defense of its citizens.

(photo: Marine nationale / US Navy)