Update on the French CVF - PA2. Size is now up to 74,000 tons. It doesn't make clear if the UK CVF will be the same size, because the whole thing is increased in size and uses the same common hull sections, or if the PA2 is just stretched and that will just be one of the other differences..
DID:
France Steaming Ahead on PA2/CVF Carrier Project
.....The project has been awarded to the "MPOA2" (Maitrise d'Oeuvre Porte Avions No 2) consortium composed of DCN and Thales, and is now proceeding in cooperation with the UK. The design was originally though to be for a ship of about 58,000t, but detailed design work has pushed it up into the 74,000t range, fully 72% larger than the
FNS Charles de Gaulle...
In June 2006, PA2 ship design recommendations were made made to the French DGA. They included substantial changes: increasing displacement over the CVF design by 9,000t (to 74,000t), maximum flight deck width by 4 m (to 73 m), and draft by 2 m (to 11.5 m). These increases stem from the need to incorporate American-designed 90 meter C13-2 steam catapults and accompanying boilers that are missing from the British design, internal hangar space changes, a significant increase in carried fuel, and nuclear weapons storage. These changes would also reduce speed from 26.3 knots to about 25-26 knots, a disappointment as the Marine Nationale was hoping for an increase to 29 knots.
Aviation Week reports that the extent of the modifications alarmed the British, to the extent that the joint program was called into question. By Sept. 21, 2006, however, it was accepted that the French PA2 would be only 90% compatible, and that both sides were willing to offer maximum cooperation. Though some features like the engine room and controls will be identical on both classes, the pressing need to cooperate has entailed concessions on both sides, and some key design differences:
*The PA2 must be fitted with steam catapults and arresting gear for the Rafale M fighters, plus the necessary piping, maintenance shafts, and boilers. The French are working to get US export clearance for the C13-2 system. Britain's F-35B STOVL Joint Strike Fighters will use a ramp for take off and can land vertically. The CVF Queen Elizabeth Class will be retrofittable for catapults, but the British prefer to wait for smaller, lighter EMALS electro-magnetic catapults rather than installing all that bulky, heavy, steam machinery.
*PA2's elevators from the aircraft hangar up to the flight deck will be slightly wider to accommodate the Rafale-M's wingspan. There may also be some hangar space changes.
*PA2 will embark 300 more sailors (1,720) than the CVF Queen Elizabeth Class.
*PA2 will have secure storage spaces for nuclear weapons. The Royal Navy delivers nuclear weapons only from its SSBN Vanguard Class Trident missile submarines.
*PA2 will have more space for fuel, because the French navy refuels less often.
*PA2 will use the same French SATRAP list compensation system used on the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier, which use a combination of fins, rudders, and compensation weights on train tracks. SATRAP can maintain stabilization to within 0.5 degrees of horizontal, allowing aircraft launch and recovery up to Sea State 5/6.
On the other hand, the French also made several design concessions to keep the joint program steming along:
*Accomodations will be by rank (British style, officers in back), not by functions (French style).
*The air wing operations room will also be at the back of the ship, away from carrier operations and the admiral's staff room where the French usually position it......
French PA2 v
UK CVF