Tests of Prototype Hull for New French Nuclear-Powered Aircraft Carrier Begins

The French Directorate General for Armaments (DGA) has begun testing the prototype hull meant for the Navy’s future aircraft carrier PA-Ng.

“On March 29, Naval Group and Minister of the Armed Forces Florence Parly announced the launch of the preliminary design works of the new generation aircraft carrier. A prototype hull for the future PA-Ng is currently being tested by the DGA,” the French Navy tweeted Tuesday.

DGA’s Naval and Hydrodynamic Techniques wing recently carried out maneuverability tests of a scale model of the PA-Ng to measure its turning, heading and stability performance.

The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier (French acronym: PA-Ng)  will have a length of 330m, a width of 80m, maximum speed of 27 knots (55kmph) and a displacement of 75,000 tons. The ship will be able to accommodate 2000 sailors and carry electromagnetic catapults. The first steel cut is set for 2025, while sea trials are slated to begin in 2036.

It will house nearly 30 Future Combat Air System (FCAS) jets currently under development. The Navy’s Charles de Gaulle carrier is expected to go out of service when the PA-Ng enters service in 2038.