Naval Systems

Charles de Gaulle

Charles de Gaulle is France's nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, built by Naval Group and commissioned in 2001. It was the first French aircraft carrier equipped with nuclear propulsion and remains the only nuclear-powered carrier built outside the United States.

Specifications

Length
261.5 m
Beam
64.36 m
Full load displacement
42,000 tonnes
Maximum speed
27 knots
Propulsion
Nuclear propulsion with two reactors

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service
Entered active French Navy service in 2001 and remains in carrier service.
Used by
French Navy
Wars
War in Afghanistan

Conflict Usage

The aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle has been publicly documented in combat or combat-support deployments for Afghanistan, Libya in 2011, and anti-ISIS operations over Iraq and Syria under Operation Chammal / Operation Inherent Resolve.

Timeline

Charles de Gaulle Key Events

  1. Launched

    Naval Group's Charles de Gaulle was launched in 1994 after construction in France.

    Sources: Naval Group: Charles de Gaulle nuclear propulsion

  2. Entered active service

    The carrier entered active French Navy service in 2001 as France's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.

    Sources: Naval Group: Charles de Gaulle nuclear propulsion

Charles de Gaulle Images

Related Weapon Systems

Project 1144 Orlan / Kirov-class nuclear-powered guided-missile heavy cruiser, Nuclear-powered guided-missile heavy cruiser, Naval SystemsNaval SystemsProject 1144 Orlan / Kirov-class nuclear-powered guided-missile heavy cruiserNuclear-powered guided-missile heavy cruiserProject 1144 Orlan, better known as the Kirov class, is a Soviet-designed nuclear-powered guided-missile heavy cruiser family built around long-range anti-ship, air-defense, and anti-submarine weapons. Built by Baltic Shipyard in Leningrad and powered by combined nuclear and steam machinery, the class remains notable for its size, helicopter facilities, and Cold War-era multipurpose surface-combatant role.

Sources