“France Libre” will succeed to “Charles de Gaulle”

The next-generation aircraft carrier will be named “France Libre,” following in the footsteps of the Charles de Gaulle. The President of the French Republic highlighted the resilience and the power of freedom that are the hallmarks of aircraft carriers.
Scheduled to enter active service in 2038, the aircraft carrier will be equipped with two next-generation nuclear reactors, codenamed K22, designed by TechnicAtome, which will also manufacture the nuclear fuel.

The two entirely new-design reactors will produce pressurized steam, which will be converted into electricity to power the ship’s propulsion system, operational activities, onboard living quarters, and the electromagnetic catapults. They will enable the same speed (27 knots) as the Charles de Gaulle despite the ship’s displacement being nearly twice as large (78,000 metric tons versus 42,000 metric tons), and a 10-year operational range between refueling.
They represent “a technological feat that makes it possible to carry twice as much energy while maintaining the same exacting safety standards,” stated Emmanuel Macron.

“This challenge is part of the rich history of French nuclear propulsion. It represents a new horizon and a program with major technological and industrial implications. TechnicAtome teams are enthusiastic and committed to contributing to this effort and to making the nuclear power plants of this new aircraft carrier—the most powerful ever designed by France—a success for the French Navy and for the country,” said Loïc Rocard, CEO of TechnicAtome.