FRANCIS JACQUOT
Translated by google
Posted on 14/09/2018 by Vincent Groizeleau
For the first time since December 2016, the French nuclear aircraft carrier returned to sea on Friday 14 September. The building, relaunched on May 16th at the end of 15 months of dry dock Vauban basins, in Toulon, had found on July 27 the Milhaud docks. Many field exit tests, 800 in all, were completed at the dock. There are still some 200 to perform at sea. A phase that began this morning with the apparatus of the Charles de Gaulle for a technical output of several days. In particular, to begin with, everything related to the platform, especially propulsion and navigation.
The tests of the building will last several weeks and it will be, according to the needs and tests, brought to come back and leave regularly of Toulon. After the platform part, will come the tests of the aviation installations, whose culminating point will be the return on board the aircraft. It will also check the combat system, the entire campaign also allowing the crew to take his boat in hand. The recovery will also see the aircraft carrier and its embarked staff re-qualify with the entire carrier group, which should be fully operational by the end of the year for a future deployment in early 2019.
Commissioned in 2001, the Charles de Gaulle completed its second major technical stop, doubled by a mid-life redesign. Led by Naval Group, this program, costing 1.3 billion euros, will have represented more than 4 million hours of work, including 1.8 million engineering and design, and 2.5 million for the site. It focused on the renovation of the combat system, the installation of new sensors (including a SMART-S radar) or the adaptation of its facilities to the passage to an onboard hunt consisting solely of Rafale Marine.
Source: meretmarine.com
Charles de Gaulle refit
FRANCIS JACQUOT
Combat System Modernization
Thanks to the upgrade of its combat system (and associated sensors), Charles de Gaulle is set to retain top of the line sensor and processing capabilities for the next 25 years. The combat system modernization includes:
1/ Modernization of the SENIT 8 combat direction system (CDS) by DCNS which is the heart of the CMS and fuses the ship' sensors with effectors (weapon systems).
2/ New multifunction workstations in the combat information center (CIC): There will be 25 new workstations plus a cooperative (touch screen) tactical table in the middle.
3/ Installation of new digital networks, computer racks and data servers as well as the new "cybersecurity" solution by DCNS which was recently unveiled at Euronaval. The digital systems on DCNS's future combat vessels will be protected by design. DCNS, as project management leader and integrator of the armed vessel, integrates cybersecurity over the entire lifecycle of its products and services, which are designed to be cyber-resilient. Charles de Gaulle is set to be the very first vessel to benefit from this technology.
4/ Replacement of the old DRBJ-11B surveillance radar with a SMART-S Mk2 multifunction 3D radar by Thales.
According to Thales, SMART-S Mk2 is the latest 3D multibeam radar. It operates in S-band and is optimised for medium-to-long-range surveillance and target designation in littoral environments.
5/ Replacement of the old DRBN-34 navigation radar with a SCANTER 6002 by Terma.
According to Terma, the SCANTER 6002 naval surveillance radar is a fully coherent solid state radar with software-defined functionality. Advanced techniques such as Frequency Diversity and Time Diversity provide superior performance.
6/ Installation of a new IRST (infra red search and track) system: The ARTEMIS by Thales.
According to Thales, ARTEMIS is the most advanced cooled IRST and provides high performance short and long range IRST, against asymmetric and conventional threats.
7/ Installation of a new electro-optical system: the EOMS NG by Sagem (Safran): Two systems will be installed. According to Sagem, EOMS NG provides automatic 360° detection, identification, and gun/short range missile engagement of all surface and air targets, from anti-ship sea-skimming missiles to Fast Incoming Attack Craft (FIAC).
FRANCIS JACQUOT
Air Wing Facilities Upgrade
With the Super Etendard Modernisé SEM now retired from service, aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle is transitioning to a "100% Rafale" fighter air wing. With this transition all the equipment devoted to the SEM are taken off board. The on board installations are being adapted to acommodate about 30 Rafale figther aircraft (in addition to the E-2C Hawkeyes and helicopters).
The air wing facilities upgrade includes:
1/ Removal of engine test benches and workshops dedicated to the SEM (the space released will now be used to increase the maintenance capacity for the Rafale).
2/ Installation of 400 Hz converters to accommodate NH90 NFH "Caiman" helicopters.
3/ Renovation of the Landing Signal Officers (LSO) platform
4/ Installation of the new DALAS-NG (Dispositif d'aide à l'Appontage LASer Nouvelle Génération) laser landing assistance device in place of the old one.
5/ Replacement of the IFLOLS (Improved Fresnel Lens Optical Landing System) with one of the latest technology, similar to the one currently fitted aboard the U.S. Navy future class of aicraft carriers (Ford-class / CVN 78).
FRANCIS JACQUOT
Ship Management Systems Modernization
Among other things, it is necessary to modernize the platform's automatic controllers, the centralized ship management system and the damage control systems.
1/ Replacement of the programmable logic controllers (PLCs) for the electrical plant, propulsion, hoists...
2/ Renovation of the SATRAP computerised, integrated stabilisation system allowing aircraft to be operated up to sea state 5/6.
3/ A new network for the RSPN ship platform, which will integrate equipment monitoring systems.
4/ Modernization of production plants for cold water, air conditioning, refrigeration of computer racks...
FRANCIS JACQUOT
Other Support and Overhaul Operations
In addition to the modernization of the aircraft carrier under DGA contracting authority, this mid-life refit is used to conduct both preventive and corrective actions in terms of general maintenance of the vessel. These "through life support" operations are conducted under the control of the French Navy "fleet support service" (service de soutien de la flotte) and relate to nuclear installations, aviation, platform, combat system.
1/ Mid-life overhaul of the bow catapult (with US Navy assistance).
2/ Renovation of the two boiler rooms and nuclear fuel replacement.
3/ Flight deck resurfacing with a new nanotechnology-based material
4/ Removal, maintenance and re-installation of the propellers, shafts, rudders and stabilizers.
5 / New paint coat above and below the water line.
Source: navyrecognitioncom
FRANCIS JACQUOT
Specification before refit
Source: navypedia.org
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