Heller 81072 Charles De Gaulle 2001

Charles de Gaulle (R 91) is a modern French nuclear powered aircraft carrier. The keel for this unit was laid in 1989, the launch took place in May 1994, and the commissioning for service in the French Marine Nationale - in 2001. The full displacement of the ship at the time of launching was about 40,500 tons, length - 261.5 meters, with a total width of 64.4 meters. The maximum speed is 27 knots. The carrier's on-board armament consists primarily of Aster 15 and Mistral missile launchers and 20mm GIAT 20F2 cannons. Aviation equipment consisted of about 35-40 aircraft, e.g. Dassault Rafale M or Dassault Super Etendard.

Charles de Gaulle (R 91) was developed and built to replace the Clemenceau-class aircraft carriers. Compared to its predecessors, it differs primarily in propulsion, which is provided by two nuclear reactors, as well as the greater width of the launch deck or on-board weapons based primarily on missile systems. The unit also uses an aircraft take-off and landing support system analogous to that used on Nimitz-class aircraft carriers. It is worth adding that it is currently the only - apart from American units - nuclear-powered aircraft carrier in the world, currently in active service.