French Navy’s only aircraft carrier FS Charles de Gaulle floated again on May 16 after spending over 14 months in the drydock as part of her €1,3-billion mid-life upgrade. The carrier entered the drydock on 8 February 2017. The vessel will undergo further modifications before starting sea trials in the fall. Charles de Gaulle is expected to return to the fleet in 2019.
During the upgrades, the vessel underwent nuclear reactors inspection and equipped with a new combat system, improved IT networks and communications systems. Her sensors, early-warning radars, navigation radars, infrared sensors and optronic cameras were also upgraded.
211216-N-QI061-1222 NAVAL STATION MAYPORT, Fla. (December 16, 2021) An MQ-4C Triton Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), assigned to Unmanned Patrol Squadron 19 (VUP-19), sits on the flight line at Naval Station Mayport, Florida, Dec. 16, 2021. VUP-19, the Navy’s first Triton squadron, will continue to maintain and operate the aircraft off the East Coast to further develop the concept of operations and refine tactics, techniques, and procedures. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nathan T. Beard/ Released)