The aircraft carriers of France are modern and the times of World War II

Mankind is aggressive in nature. This unpleasant fact is confirmed by numerous wars unleashed by people for various reasons. Even in the anti-utopian worlds of Aldous Huxley, Orwell or Bredbury, a person can not without violence. Apparently, shaking weapons, some representatives of the homo sapiens race assert themselves, and it does not matter for what reason the states come into conflict. War is unthinkable without weapons, and its outcome directly depends on how much stronger the equipment of one of the sides of the conflict will be. For example, modern naval forces are ineffective without a unique combat ship: an aircraft carrier.

Aircraft carrier: Progressive vessel

This is a huge ship carrying an air cargo: airplanes or helicopters. And it can be up to hundreds of aircraft. They are also the main striking force of the aircraft carrier. For the first time such a surface ship appeared in the First World War, but the peculiarity of the first-borns was that they were altered from other types of ships. For example, such a vessel became a cruiser called "Birmingham." From the deck for the first time the plane took off. This significant event happened in 1910, and it marked the beginning of deck aviation. At first such ships were used for reconnaissance purposes, but later realized the importance of aircraft as a means of bombardment. At the dawn of the construction of aircraft carriers, hydroplanes were used, since planes could take off, and they could not land on the deck. For this, hydroplanes were used, which successfully landed on water. History says that the aircraft carriers of France before the Second World War were few: to be more precise, only one, as well as the United States. The largest number of such vessels at that time was in the United Kingdom (7 units). Subsequently, America succeeded in designing aircraft carriers.

The following ships are divided into the following positions:

• Aircraft carriers;
• Trading;
• Carrying balloons;
• Helicopter carriers;
• Hydro-carriers;
• Air;
• Underwater.

In addition, distinguish multipurpose, shock and anti-submarine. By type of energy, there are conventional and atomic models.

Main characteristics of aircraft carriers

The steel hulls of aircraft carriers have considerable strength, because their thickness reaches several centimeters. The length of huge ships totals hundreds of meters: the amplitude ranges from 180 to 342. The ship's draft reaches a 12-meter depth. The width of the deck is quite large, which gives the aircraft carriers an unforgettable look. Under the deck are huge docks and hangars for servicing aircraft. The only elevation on the deck, a kind of "island", is the command post, which includes locating systems and antennas. This center is usually located on the starboard side.

The flight deck is one of the most important components of the aircraft carrier. They are divided into three types, one of which is not currently used. Flat deck, for example, has the famous aircraft carrier of France "Charles de Gaulle". Decks of this kind are used for horizontal take-off. Steam catapults are used for this. Decks with a springboard are installed on ships containing vertical takeoff aircraft. A characteristic feature of such a deck is the union of the runway and landing strip.

Flight deck, containing two levels, was used until the 30-ies of the last century. On the nose of such aircraft carriers was a take-off deck, and at the top there was a landing deck. But since such a scheme was dangerous for pilots, it was changed by re-equipping it, as is customary in conventional aircraft carriers.

Interesting facts about the giants of the Navy

Uninitiated will be interested in finding out where the aircraft carriers have an inexhaustible source of speed and power. The thing is that nuclear power plants on modern ships, including aircraft carriers of France, provide ships with unlimited range of movement. In addition, thanks to the nuclear installation, the aircraft carrier has the ability to maintain maximum, not cruising speed, for weeks.

Also important is the fact that the runway is located. It is located at an angle of 9. This was not done accidentally. Earlier, when the strip was straight, there were often collisions of aircraft standing, with those who landed unsuccessfully. After all, it's quite difficult to sit on a rocking and narrow deck. To avoid such disasters and the fires caused by them, the designers came to a brilliant decision, thereby granting the pilot the right to make a mistake.

French fleet

The French navy has a leading place in the world. By its displacement (321 850 tons), it is located between Korea and Great Britain. In the arsenal of this powerful military formation there are submarines, super-modern frigates, amphibians, cruisers, destroyers, and, of course, the legendary aircraft carrier of France Charles de Gaulle with a displacement of 37,000 tons. The basis of amphibious forces is the cruiser "Mistral". The ships of this type have three units.

But at the same time, there is a shortage of air cover at the moment, as France's naval aviation has only 60 deck vehicles in service. In general, the French government conceived a serious modernization of the Navy, as the current capacity is not enough to conduct global military operations. Although France has a valid trump card: nuclear weapons. First of all, these are modern ballistic missiles.

France and World War II

The French are rightly called the pioneers of naval aviation. They built hydroplanes, seaplanes and flying boats, and battleships and cruisers equipped with catapults for take-off. And in the 20-ies of the last century, French naval forces replenished with a new member - modernized in the aircraft carrier battleship "Bearn". It was equipped with a takeoff and landing deck and a catapult. This ship, although without any differences, participated in a world war against German fascism, but in 1940 it retired. This happened after the surrender of the French Republic to Nazi Germany. Further, back in 1937, according to the planned program of shipbuilding, it was decided to design several new ships. But this was not meant to come true. During the period from 1939 to 1945, the armed forces of France, especially the fleet, lost most of their weapons, and demanded total restoration. So how many aircraft carriers did France have during the war with the Germans? Among unrealized and frozen projects such as "Geoffre", "Clemenceau", the sunken aircraft carrier "Commando Test", one military flagship "Bearn" stood out.

Aircraft carrier "Bearn": gray history

The French Vice-Admiral Bourget correctly believed that it is urgent to revive the aircraft carriers of France as the basis of the Navy. This man once commanded "Béarn", so his advice was of value and was heard. The admiral believed that the French fleet needed at least six aircraft carriers. Subsequently, the government purchased aircraft carriers from England, and in the 50s shipbuilders of France designed the aircraft carriers "Clemenceau" and "Foch".

But about the battle ship, the aircraft carrier "Bearn", it is worth mentioning especially if only because he took part in the war against the Nazis. The aircraft carrier participated in the search for the German ship Admiral Count Spee. The construction of the ship was started in January 1914, and it was launched in April 1920. The ship's draft is more than 9 meters, and the width is 27. The length of the aircraft carrier was 182 meters. The number of the crew was 865 people.

The aircraft carriers of the French Navy began their history with this armored ship. He was armed with antiaircraft guns, torpedoes and had on board 40 aircraft. The aircraft carrier was designed from the Normandy corps, while the battleship turbines were replaced by a power plant. After the French surrender, there were rumors that the aircraft carrier had taken all the state gold reserves to Martinique, but this information is not confirmed. Further, until the end of the war, "Bearn" transported aircraft from Canada to their homeland. In 1967, the French flagship of the beginning of the last century was dismantled.

Charles de Gaulle or Richelieu?

Now the aircraft carriers of France are modern and equipped with everything necessary to satisfy military standards. More truly, the French aircraft carrier at the moment is the only one: the famous Charles de Gaulle. This ship was built and launched in 1994. Its operation was started in 2001. With a displacement of 42 thousand tons, the aircraft carrier gives 27 knots of stroke. It has two nuclear engines, the length of the vessel is 261 meters, and the width is about 64. The aircraft carrier is France's largest ship, but it is small compared to similar American nuclear ships. The crew is quite numerous and numbers 1,900 people, including pilots and command.

The history of the creation of this battle ship began with the fact that the government decided to replace the obsolete aircraft carriers of France "Foch" and "Clemenceau" with more modern models. But only one vessel of this series was created, because its high cost did not allow the project to continue. The aircraft carrier has improved several times, due to unsuccessful testing.

As for the design of the ship, it is equipped with the most modern systems: catapults, unsinkable bulkheads, double bottom, radio absorbing and hidden equipment. Also there is a drainage, fire protection system. Air conditioning and ventilation systems are provided for the crew. Comfortable zones of sleep, rest areas and food intake are developed.

Around the aircraft carrier's name, serious debate arose: Francois Mitterrand, the president of France, wanted to name the vessel Richelieu, because he considered inappropriate flirting with the party of the Gaullists. But a year later, Jacques Chirac persuaded him, and the ship was named after the famous general.

The armament of Charles

Atomic energy of the ship is enough for 5 years of travel with a speed of 25 knots. This aircraft carrier is obliged to the power plant with a colossal power supply: 76 thousand horsepower. On such a powerful base can accommodate up to 100 aircraft at the same time. But usually the fleet includes 40 aircraft, of which several fighters, ground attack planes, reconnaissance and liaison aircraft. There are helicopters on the deck. The aircraft carrier is also equipped with radar systems and air defense systems. So, wondering how many aircraft carriers France has now, you can reliably answer: one. But there are a few more ships that are practically at the same level of combat capability and endurance.

Mistral: French wagon

The landing craft-helicopter carrier "Mistral" differs from other multi-purpose application. It can be a hospital, land motorized landing brigades on land, act like a command center, carry and service helicopter gunships. If we discuss aircraft carriers in France, Mistral, although not an aircraft carrier in full, but also a worthy representative of the French Navy. An important advantage can be called a slow and thoughtful monitoring of the space, which is successfully carried out by helicopters. In addition, the ship can accommodate landing barges, a tank battalion and up to 900 soldiers at a time. The French fleet has three such ships: Mistral, Tonner and Dismud.

Is it possible to sink an aircraft carrier?

This is a very difficult task. In view of the fact that such super-expensive ships carry a huge amount of armament, naturally, the protective functions of the aircraft carrier do not quite meet the necessary requirements. Therefore, around the huge ship there are always 15 or more ships providing reliable protection within a radius of 300 kilometers. But it's realistic to sink an aircraft carrier, although it's very difficult. The simplest but not the most effective method is the assault. To do this, it is necessary to neutralize the security ships, and then try to put the aircraft carrier to the bottom, which will be extremely difficult, because it is equipped with a huge number of compartments.

A sabotage can play a significant role in the withdrawal of an aircraft carrier. For example, during the replenishment of stocks, in one of the ports, a group of divers should swim undetected to the ship and install a remote explosive device on its bottom. The main thing is to go undetected in this operation.

Another way can be a torpedo from the side of a silent submarine. Of course, the huge aircraft carrier will not be able to dodge the torpedo. Only here the submarine-kamikaze with a huge probability of immediately destroy the guard ships.

The greatest effectiveness in the sinking of the aircraft carrier is provided by rocket and nuclear strikes. It is clear that the latter, in view of the infection of the territory, and other catastrophic consequences, are applied only in extreme cases.

Ships of the future

But aircraft carriers of France and other world powers do not stand still, new, more modern and advanced models are being designed. Taking into account the experience of past achievements and mistakes, a project of a future aircraft carrier named CVNX with a displacement of 100,000 tons was created. In its creation technologies "stealth", the newest nuclear installation, allowing a long time to go without refueling, as well as a fundamentally new case structure were used. According to the estimates of the creators, such a ship can pass 3 million nautical miles for the entire 50-year lifetime , and spend 6 thousand days in the ocean.

Progress is rapidly moving, including in the military industry. A lot of money is invested in the latest technology, but the world on the planet can not be bought for any money.