Poster profile new generation french air carrier R92

The new generation aircraft carrier (PANG) is a French project aimed at replacing the Charles de Gaulle. Initiated in October 2018, this project responds to the need to ensure permanent availability of a carrier group, taking into account periods of periodic unavailability for maintenance and repair of the Charles de Gaulle. After the abandonment of a previous project in 2012, the launch of a new program was announced in 2018 by the Minister of the Armed Forces, Florence Parly. The choice of nuclear propulsion for the successor to the Charles de Gaulle was ratified by President Emmanuel Macron in December 2020.

The construction of the PANG will take place at the Atlantique shipyards in Saint-Nazaire, with the potential participation of the Brest site of the Thales group. This new aircraft carrier, which is expected to be larger than the Charles de Gaulle (reaching 305 meters in length and 75,000 tonnes), will require nuclear propulsion to meet its increased energy needs, particularly to accommodate a new, heavier combat aircraft. than the Rafale. It will be equipped with 2 K22 type nuclear reactors developing 220 megawatts each.

The PANG should be equipped with the CATOBAR system for catapulting aircraft, with the possibility of using lighter electromagnetic catapults. The aircraft on board will depend on the progress of the new generation fighter projects. The aircraft carrier should also accommodate combat drones, constituting a major innovation.

In terms of reception capacity, the PANG should accommodate around a thousand sailors, thus reducing the number of positions compared to the Charles de Gaulle, while providing accommodation for four to eight people.