CVF/PA2

A computer-generated image of the planned CVF design that will be operated by the UK . France’s aircraft carrier will be of a similar specification (up to 80 per cent commonality) as the two countries have decided to collaborate on the project. (Photo: Thales UK)

In March 2006, the UK and France signed an agreement to co-operate on the design and development of three new 65,000-tonne aircraft carriers. The French Navy is looking to procure from 2015 a second conventionally-power aircraft carrier to supplement the nuclear-powered Charles de Gaulle. So far, the French MoD has committed about US$2.3 billion (EUR1.6 billion) to the carrier's development. The UK will purchase two aircraft carriers -- to be named HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales -- that will enter service in 2014-2016, replacing the Royal Navy's three 22,000-tonne Invincible Class carriers. The UK MoD gave the green light to its CVF (Future Aircraft Carrier) programme when it confirmed plans to purchase two vessels in July 2007. A manufacturing contract worth about US$7.9 billion (EUR5.4 billion) is expected to be signed in March 2008.

France's shipbuilder DCNS owns MOPA2 (Maitrise d’Oeuvre Porte-Avions 2), the company that will be the prime contractor to build its aircraft carrier, currently codenamed the Porte-Avions 2 (PA2). It is planned that Aker Yards France at St Nazaire will construct the hull of PA2 with DCNS at Brest responsible for systems integration and the final outfitting of the vessel. Construction of PA2 is expected to begin in 2009 with the vessel entering French Navy service in 2015-2017. Like the Charles De Gaulle, it is expected that PA2 will lead an Air Sea Group supported by other French or allied naval assets. The vessel itself will be equipped with up 32 Rafale fighters, three E-2 Hawkeye AEW aircraft and five NH-90 NFH helicopters.

The design and the construction of the UK CVFs will be undertaken by the Aircraft Carrier Alliance consortium, comprising the UK MoD, BAE Systems, the VT Group, Babcock International, Thales UK and Kellogg Brown & Root (KBR). BAE Systems is the prime contractor in the UK CVF project, while KBR is responsible for overall management. BAE Systems is also leading the CVF Integration Support Team (CVFIST) to ensure that the F-35 Lightning II is fully capable of operating from the aircraft carriers, while Thales UK and BMT Defence Services have worked on the design of the vessels. Work share will be divided among the new BAE Systems/VT Group joint venture BVT Surface Fleet Ltd (40 per cent), Babcock (16 per cent), Thales (16 per cent) and BAE Systems/BAE Systems Insyte (28 per cent). The vessels will built at Barrow-in-Furness (BAE Systems), Govan and Portsmouth (BVT) with final assembly to take place at Rosyth (Babcock Naval Services). Separate contracts were recently awarded by BAE Systems Surface Solutions to the UK's McNulty Offshore Construction and A&P Tyne to undertake some work at their facilities at Jarrow and Hebburn. The UK construction firm
Edmund Nuttall is currently redeveloping Rosyth to take on assembly of the vessels. The shipyard will also be where the CVF's first metal will be cut, due in August 2008.

In December 2007, Northrop Grumman was selected to provide the CVF's new-generation integrated navigation and bridge system (INBS), while in March 2008 the UK MoD announced a further round of orders for the CVF project. The steelmakers Corus and Dent Steel Services (Yorkshire) Ltd have been contracted to supply some 80,000 tonnes of steel plates and bulbs. Brand-Rex will supply Blown Fibre Optic Cable Plant (BFOCP), working with the IT support company Alfred-McAlpine. Salt Separation Services will supply Reverse Osmosis (RO) equipment, while Fluid Transfer International has been contracted to deliver aviation fuel systems equipment. In April, Thales UK awarded a contract to MacTaggart Scott for the delivery of two aircraft lifts, each capable of carrying up to 70 tonnes or two combat planes.

Each British carrier will be capable of carrying up to 40 short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL)
F-35B Lightning II fighter aircraft or 18 Merlin helicopters. It is anticipated that in a usual operational deployment, each CVF will carry a maximum of 36 F-35B Lighting IIs assigned to a Joint Force Air Group (JFAG), which will include a planned Maritime Airborne Surveillance & Control (MASC) replacement for the Sea King ASaC7 AEW helicopter due to enter service after 2012. It is planned that a version the AgustaWestland AW101 helicopter fitted with Sea King ASaC7's Thales Searchwater 2000 will be used to fulfil the role, although the Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey, the Northrop Grumman
E-2C Advanced Hawkeye or a modified UAV platform could be considered as alternatives. It has also been reported that the UK MoD is considering extending the Sea King ASaC7's service life until 2022.

The UK had planned to use nuclear power, but like France, the two carriers are expected to be powered by two Rolls-Royce MT30 gas turbines to save cost. Thales awarded a US$44 million (EUR30 million) contract for four 40MW Wärtsilä 38 diesel engines in November 2007 that will part of the British CVF's Integrated Electric Propulsion (IEP) system. Deliveries will take place in 2009 and 2011. The CVF's maximum speed will be about 25 knots with a range of up to 10,000 nautical miles. Each carrier will carry a crew of 1,500 personnel.

The British CVF's radar is yet to be selected, although earlier CGI designs (as above) have shown Sampson and S1850M air surveillance systems. Recent designs have shown changes that will include the Royal Navy's Naval Medium Range Radar (NMRR) that will also equip the Type 23 frigate, such as the Artisan 3D developed by BAE Systems, Qinetiq and Roke Manor Research. In October 2007,
Selex Communications was awarded a contract to deliver the UK CVF's IFF systems. French plans are still to be finalised.

The French government has estimated that PA2 is likely to cost up to US$4.6 billion (EUR3.2 billion) to build with collaboration likely to save the two countries at least US$1.0 billion (EUR750 million) for the procurement of the three vessels, but only if main construction is undertaken at one site, preferably St Nazaire. Despite DCNS, Aker Yards France, BAE Systems, VT Shipbuilding, Thales and Babcock signing of a further agreement in November 2007 setting out the general provisions for manufacture and
in-service support of three carriers, the British government is determined to have its CVFs entirely built in the UK.

Photo: BAE Systems

Data (CVF)

Specifications
Displacement: 65,000 tonnes
Length: 284 m
Beam: 39 m (waterline); 73 m (overall)
Draught: 11 m

Performance
Main propulsion: 2 x 36 MW Rolls-Royce MT30 gas turbines and 4 x Wärtsilä 38 diesel engines (delivering 40 MW together)
Max speed: 25 knots
Economical speed: 15 knots
Range: 10,000 nautical miles (18,520 km)

General data
Crew: 600 (1,450 with aircrew)
The carrier will be capable of carrying up to 40 aircraft and helicopters, including 36 F-35B Lightning II fighters (expected to be called the Lightning FG1 in UK service) or 18 Merlin helicopters. Initially, the CVF will be equipped with Harrier GR9s. France’s PA2 will require a Catapult Assisted Take-Off But Arrested Recovery (Catobar) system for the launch of up to 36 Rafale M fighters plus three E-2C Hawkeye fixed-wing AEW aircraft and five NH-90 helicopter. Should the UK opt for a fixed-wing platform to fulfill its MASC requirement, then a similar Catobar system will be required.
Status: Undergoing development; cost for the UK’s two CVFs put at US$7.9 billion (EUR5.4 billion). PA2 development and cost put at US$4.6 billion (EUR3.2billion).

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