According to a press release published by Naval Group and Chantiers de l'Atlantique on March 30, 2021, both of French firms signed agreements creating a joint company they propose to the contract authority in order to ensure the project management of the armed vessel (excluding the boiler rooms).
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Artist rendering of France's next-generation aircraft carrier (Picture source: Naval Group)
The choice of this industrial organization to ensure the project management of the armed vessel (excluding the boiler rooms) was aimed to maximizing synergies and capitalizing on the strengths of each partner. .It relies on the accountability of its mother companies and their solidarity with their common company. This organization, aiming at the best efficiency, will make it possible to meet the major challenges of such a complex program.
This future nuclear aircraft carrier is indeed an iconic and unique ship due to its mission of implementing an on-board fighter aviation, its combat and command capabilities, the high level of safety required by its nuclear heating systems and its strong requirements in cyber security.
Within the framework of this common company, the responsibilities and interfaces between the two companies are perfectly defined, thus helping the two partners to make the best use of the complementarity of their skills. The relations with Technicatome, which has the status of a cocontractor, are being finalized for the design, fabrication and integration.
Naval Group is the overall architect of the nuclear aircraft carrier and transverse systems. In particular, the company will ensure the integration of the combat system, navigation and aviation systems,
catapults and arresters, the production of nuclear boiler subassemblies, and the integration of these boilers into the ship.
Chantiers de l'Atlantique for its part will be the construction and integration site of the ship and will provide the architecture of the powered platform. For all phases from design to construction, its activity relates to large platform systems such as: structure, electric propulsion, life function, maneuvering and auxiliary installations and transversal activities such as hydrodynamics, while ensuring control of industrial coordination.
Future French aircraft carrier will be in the 75,000 tonne class (82,673 tons), be around 300 meters long (984 feet) and be able to sail at 27 knots (31 mph).
The new ship will have a crew of about 2,000, including the air group and will have two K22 power generators each generating 220 megawatts.
