General Atomics has secured a $41.6 million contract to assist the French Navy in future preparations. The aim is to create two advanced systems for France’s new aircraft carrier: the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System [EMALS] and the Advanced Arresting Gear [AAG]. These systems are already essential to the U.S. Navy’s Ford-class carriers. France now intends to incorporate them into its new PANG [Porte-Avions de Nouvelle Génération] carrier.
EMALS is a new type of catapult that is a big upgrade from older steam catapults. It uses electromagnetic energy to launch aircraft more smoothly and accurately, accommodating both bigger jets and smaller drones.
Unlike steam catapults, which depend on high-pressure steam and cause more mechanical problems, EMALS offers better reliability, lower maintenance needs, and more flexibility. It works well for launching the new unmanned aerial vehicles [UAVs], which are lighter and may not work with older systems.
AAG is a modern system designed to safely catch aircraft while causing less strain on their frames. Older arresting systems depend on hydraulics, which can be tough on planes and need a lot of maintenance. AAG employs advanced energy-absorbing technology to provide smoother and safer landings for pilots and their aircraft.
Such innovation is critical for the busy operations expected on today’s carriers, where reducing wear and tear is vital for keeping readiness. Notably, this contract is part of the Foreign Military Sales [FMS] programme. Simply put, France is paying for this project—not American taxpayers.
French PANG Project
The full $41.6 million has already been allocated, and the funds won’t run out at the end of this fiscal year. This investment shows France’s commitment to the PANG project and its willingness to work with U.S. industry leaders to modernise its navy.
Most of the work will be done in San Diego, California, where General Atomics is based. The project will also have smaller components located in Lakehurst, New Jersey, and Tupelo, Mississippi. The whole project is expected to be finished by January 2026, giving enough time to complete the Preliminary Design Review—a critical step before moving on to full integration.
This phase will require extensive testing and validation to ensure that the systems align with French operational needs and international safety standards. So why should we care? France is the only European nation with a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, and the PANG—the successor to the Charles de Gaulle—is set to showcase modern naval technology.
U.S. Ford-class carriers
Integrating EMALS and AAG will align France with the U.S. Ford-class carriers, allowing it to operate a wider variety of aircraft, including future unmanned systems. This capacity will greatly boost France’s global power projections and support NATO’s collective defencee efforts. It’s also important to mention that this contract was not open for competitive bidding.
General Atomics was chosen directly—an expected choice given its successful work with these technologies. The USS Gerald R. Ford has already effectively used both systems, providing a strong foundation for their adaptation to French requirements.
Nevertheless, adjusting these technologies for use on a nuclear-powered French carrier with different operational practices and infrastructure will probably pose distinct challenges. Apart from the technical side, this agreement highlights the growing military and industrial partnership between the U.S. and France.
France Adopts U.S. Technology
As a key NATO ally, France’s choice to adopt U.S. technology strengthens transatlantic collaboration in today’s tense global environment. With competing powers like China and Russia working on their carrier projects, it is essential for NATO to maintain a technological advantage for control of the seas.
Will France be able to develop the PANG into the carrier of future naval capabilities? We will see, but this contract indicates that plans for developing a new type of aircraft carrier are already underway. The use of EMALS and AAG is not only about new technology; it also demonstrates a strategic goal—indicating that France aims to remain a strong naval force as it enters the 21st century.
The French Navy’s upcoming carrier, PANG [Porte-Avions de Nouvelle Génération], marks a big improvement in France’s naval strength, but it faces many problems, both in tech and money. It will replace the ageing Charles de Gaulle, which has faced many issues, including maintenance problems and low operational availability.
PANG will use a CATOBAR
France plans to put the PANG into service by the late 2030s, a bold move that will face significant challenges as it adapts to modern naval warfare. One notable aspect of the PANG is its size—at about 75,000 tonnes and 300 metres long, it will be much larger than the ship it replaces.
The PANG will use a CATOBAR system to launch heavier jets like FCAS and Rafale M fighters. This shift will boost the French Navy’s ability to project power in tough environments. However, moving to a high-tech launch system comes with risks. The system is costly and complex, raising concerns about reliability.
Some fear France could face the same launch problems seen on the Charles de Gaulle. PANG will also run on nuclear power, like its predecessor. This means it can travel farther without needing constant refuelling. Still, the carrier’s bigger size adds new challenges.
Conclusion
It will require a skilled crew and large budgets to stay fully operational. That is a key issue for France’s defence planners regarding their support of the PANG, as it requires avoiding cuts to other critical military upgrades. The military already faces budgetary limitations and modernisation.
Beyond the tech, PANG strengthens France’s global military presence. It will help Paris remain active in the Indo-Pacific and Africa. But such a powerful ship brings new pressure on the navy’s management and readiness. That’s especially true in a fast-changing global security landscape.
The U.S. Navy is now planning for hypersonic threats and anti-carrier warfare in the Pacific. This makes PANG’s future role more complicated than ever. How will it handle the many new threats that are developing quickly?
References
- Defense News Today – defensenewstoday.info/pang-emals
- Naval Technology – naval-technology.com/pang-carrier
- General Atomics – ga.com/emals-aag
