Catapult trials for Charles de Gaulle

Sea Power, Nov 1997

Direction Constructions Navales (DCN) has completed the first dockside trials of the starboard steam catapult of the French Navy's new nuclearpowered aircraft carrier (CVN) Charles de Gaulle. The trials were carried out with mockups simulating the 32-ton maximum weight of the aircraft planned to be embarked when the new CVN goes to sea in 1998.

In a follow-up series of trials, on the port catapult, a temporary steam generating plant was used, because the ship's nuclear reactors have not yet been activated; a speed of 975 feet per second was achieved in those trials. Both of the 244-foot catapults, manufactured by DCN under license from the Department of Defense, are similar to those in use on U.S. Navy CVNs.

The principal aircraft planned to be flown from the Charles de Gaulle are the new Rafale-M fighter, the modernized Super Etendard strike aircraft, and the E-2C Hawkeye airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft. The ship will start sea trials next year. Related note: The French Navy's conventionally powered aircraft carrier Foch has completed a major overhaul at DCN's Toulon yard and is back in service. She will go into reserve when the Charles de Gaulle becomes fully operational in 1999.