The aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle begins its mid-life redesign
After "having carried out the equivalent of 30 rounds of the world, more than 41,000 catapults in 15 years of intense operational activity", be it off Afghanistan, Libya, Iraq, Syria , Or of Yemen, the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle (PA CDG) has just ceased all activities for the next 18 months.
Indeed, on 08 February 2017, the CDG PA has just begun its major technical stop (ATM) in mid-life under the control of the Fleet Support Service (SSF), in cooperation with the Directorate General of (DGA) and the French naval group DCNS.
Having entered the Vauban basin of Toulon's port facilities almost every hour, the naval flagship of the French Navy will be daily worked by nearly 2,000 people from 160 different companies who will be responsible for working on the 200,000 tasks Programmed for this redesign.
The French Navy explains that this redesign follows mainly three main lines of modernization: "the renovation of combat systems (sensors, networks and communication, screens and multifunction consoles ...), the transition to the whole Rafale (replacement of the landing and guidance system ), As well as the renovation of its platform (automated systems and navigation systems) ".
In addition to these three components, construction workers will also be responsible for Maintenance in Operational Condition (OCT), including the revision of catapults and their systems, nuclear boiler plants, internal machinery and "core refueling".
The latter is indispensable because it propels the ship, but also ensures the electricity on board, the steam needed for catapults, and the transformation of salt water into fresh water.
The installation of new combat systems will enable the building to "stay at the level of the best allies for the next 20 years", but also to "take advantage of the potential of 21st century technology to keep its operational excellence And its first-class interoperability capability ", particularly with the US Navy's buildings.
To this end, the CDG will be equipped with more efficient and more secure computer networks in order to guard against cyber attacks and interference attempts.
Still on the computer, a touch-sensitive digital table will be installed, as well as new screens and more modern consoles, similar to what is done with the avionics of 3rd and 4th generation combat Aircraft.
According to the Military Zone site, modernization will also focus on the "Naval Tactical Information System (SENIT-8)" which will be mounted with "new components", the Inertial Navigation and Alignment System (SINA) Will include inertial "very high precision type SIGMA 40 laser gyro".
In addition, the protection of the only French aircraft carrier will also be improved, as it will be equipped with the EOMS NG, a new-generation multifunction optronic system.
According to its manufacturer Safran, it brings together, in one piece of equipment, an InfraRed Search and Track (IRST) infrared watch as well as an electro-optical shooting system. These include IRST-type long-range infrared surveillance / tracking and electro-optical shooting (EOD). "
It provides "self-protection against aerial and surface threats, symmetrical or asymmetrical" and adapts "to any system of digital or analogue artillery of the gun or short-range missile type".
Its use is made from the "ship's combat steering system (CMS) or an optional operator console".
Its capacities will be coupled with those of the ARTEMIS device of Thales. The latter ensures a 360 ° panoramic view all around the PA, without black angle, and day and night. It is capable of detecting and tracking simultaneously up to 200 threats, whether conventional or asymmetric.
On the side of the Air Embedded Group (GAE), with the withdrawal of the active service of the last Super-Etendard Modernized and thus the transition to the "Tout Rafale", adaptations for a better management of the fleet will be put in place.
The Chasse Embarquée will increase its presence on board since 24 Rafale M, the carrying capacity of the "Charles" will reach the 30 Rafale M. Alongside these aircraft, will evolve the E-2C Hawkeye airplanes, as well as Three or four NH-90NFH Cayman helicopters.
In addition, Safran is also responsible for developing, testing and implementing the new LASer New Generation Lifting Device, or DALAS-NG.
Pending the installation of this system, a first phase of testing (nine flights with ASSPs on Landivisiau) in cooperation between DCNS, DGA, DGA Project Engineering, and the Navy General Staff (EMM) , Showed "a clear improvement in the performances of the new version of the DALAS-NG", it is explained to Defens'Aero.
This test phase, which would have been held in June 2016, confirmed a clear improvement in the current DALAS, and several concordant sources talk about results "much better than expected".
With the development of this new, next-generation system, the landing officers will have aircraft tracking (Rafale M and E-2C Hawkeye) from approach to landing.
In this case, the DALAS-NG makes it possible to "detect and ensure a start of follow-up of the planes from a distance between 8 and 10 nautical, that of day, but also of night".
The operation of the DALAS-NG is essential on the aircraft carrier. Indeed, as soon as the aircraft is detected, the device will start recording the trajectory of the aircraft, but it will also restore its positioning with respect to the optimal trajectory, and finally, estimate the stop strand which Will be hooked up with the landing stick.
This makes it possible, in particular, to know precisely the breakpoint of the aircraft on the deck and, consequently, to ensure better safety and response in the event of an emergency and to release the aircraft more quickly if other aircraft Follow behind.
To enable all of these functions, the DALAS-NG is composed of an adjustable turret, and an optronic detector.
The latter is itself composed, according to several accounts, of an "HD color imagery and a second infra-red in the context of night operations during deck landing during poor visibility. In addition, a laser accurately measures the distance and position of the aircraft in relation to the aircraft carrier's flight deck. "
In a press release dated 6 February 2015, Pierre-Olivier Nouguès, head of the marine optronics department at Sagem, explained that "the information provided by the DALAS system is of paramount importance for the officer who may, The pilot to return the gases to avoid an accident. The new device will be delivered early 2017 ".
At the end of these 18 months of recasting at a cost of around 1.3 billion euros, and if no delay is made, it is a brand new ship that is expected to take off in the spring of 2018 for a Series of sea trials.
can launch to max 1 aircraft by mn.
