U.S. Approves $1.3B Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System Sale for France’s Proposed Aircraft Carrier

The US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to France of Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS), Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG), and related equipment for an estimated cost of $1.321 billion.

EMALS and AAG will be incorporated in France’s next-generation aircraft carrier program. Work on the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier (called PA-Ng) to replace the Charles de Gaulle carrier has already commenced.

The new carrier is expected to join the French Navy after 2033. Carrier-based Rafale jets besides the future European stealth fighter jet are expected to operate from its deck.

The Government of France has requested to buy one (1) Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS), 2 launcher configurations; and one (1) Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG), 3 engine configurations, a US Defense Security Cooperation Agency release said Tuesday.

The proposed sale will result in continuation of interoperability between the United States and France.

The prime contractors will be General Atomics-Electromagnetic Systems Group, San Diego, CA; andHuntington Ingalls Industries, Newport News, VA. There are no known offset agreements proposed in conjunction with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale will require the assignment of approximately (40) U.S. Government and contractor representatives to France for 10 weeks per year in calendar years 2033-2038, to support shipboard system installation, commissioning, certification, aircraft compatibility testing, flight deck certification and sea trials.