From 'PH' (Porte-Helicopteres) to 'PA' (Porte-Avions)
The aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle is the result of a gestation of nearly 25 years. In 1970, with Arromanches approaching the end of her service life, studies were undertaken to provide for a replacement. A number of possible designs were produced, all of which shared the 55,000 shp steam plant of the F 67 frigates, a through deck for helicopters, and a uniform armament of four 100mm mountings. The 1972 naval plan initially sought to have two new aircraft carriers and two helicopter carriers.
The first three versions studied displaced 20,000-22,000t, had a water-line length ranging from 187m to 200m and a beam of 28m, with a maximum speed of 27kts. Two versions incorporated a docking well aft, 40-50m long and 14m wide. The docking well of the first variant could accommodate four LCMs (26 tons), while the second variant, which was longer and higher, could accommodate two LCMs and two CTMs (56t). (The LCM has a cargo capacity of 30 tons, and the CTM of 90 tons, and both can carry a light or medium tank).
The idea of building a nuclear-powered ship was seriously studied in France, starting with the first oil shock in 1973. The Higher Council of the Navy decided to endow the latter with atomic propulsion (PH 75) in 1973. The French started with PH-75 - an atomic powered helicopter at 18,000 tonnes for the replacement of the Jeanne de Arc.
The flight deck configuration of the first variant was heavily influenced by the US Navy's Iwo Jima class; the deck itself was rounded off at its forward edge, and side lifts were staggered to port and starboard. The second variant's flight deck had a broad center section like the US Navy's CVAs, with elevators on either side of the starboard island incorporated in the sponson. A similar arrangement was adopted in the third variant, which dispensed with the docking well. All three variants all had a hangar of about 90m length with a capacity of 8 Super Frelons and 18 Lynx. There was accommodation for 600 men and their equipment, together with light vehicles.
A fourth variant was a smaller vessel, 170m x 25m, with a displacement of 15,000t, and a consequent increase in speed to 28.5kts. The flight deck configuration was similar to that of Clemenceau, with a center-line forward elevator and a side elevator starboard, aft of the island. Helicopter capacity was reduced to seven Super Frelons and 16 Lynx, and troop capacity to 450. None of these designs was proceeded with, but they served as the basis of an even more ambitious project, PH 75.
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