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India Issued a Letter of Request for "IAC-2" 65,000 Tons Aircraft Carrier With EMALS

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Naval Forces News - India
 
 
 
India Issued a Letter of Request for "IAC-2" 65,000 Tons Aircraft Carrier With EMALS
 
According to several Indian newspapers, the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has launched its project to build a 65,000-tonne sea-borne aircraft carrier, nammed "indigenous aircraft carrier number 2", or IAC-2. A Letter of Request (LoR) was sent to at least four foreign companies: BAE Systems, DCNS, Lockheed Maritn and Rosoboronexport.
     
According to several Indian newspapers, the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has launched its project to build a 65,000-tonne sea-borne aircraft carrier, nammed "indigenous aircraft carrier number 2", or IAC-2. A Letter of Request (LoR) was sent to at least four foreign companies: BAE Systems, DCNS, Lockheed Maritn and Rosoboronexport.
The Indian MoD requested Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) for its future aircraft carrier project. They will first be fitted onboard the USS Gerald R. Ford
Picture: General Atomics
     
Select bidders have until July 22nd (which is extremely short) to respond with detailed cost and technical proposal. According to the LoR, the IAC-2 aircraft carrier should have a displacement of 65,000 tons, a length of 300 meters and equipped with Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS). The carrier vessel should be able to accomodate an air wing consisting in 35 aircraft and 20 helicopters.

EMALS is a complete launch system designed to replace the existing steam catapult currently being used on aircraft carriers. The USS Gerald R. Ford, the first ship of the CVN-21 Future Aircraft Carrier Class, will use electromagnetic launch systems.

EMALS provides:
Reduced Manning Workload
Reduced Thermal Signature
Increased Launch Availability
Reduced Topside Weight
Reduced Installed Volume
Launch capability for unmanned aerial vehicles

Installing EMALS should provide IAC-2 the ability to deploy heavier carrier borne aircraft than those currently used by the Indian Navy (MiG-29K and Harrier). It should also the use of AWACS aircraft (Hawkeye) from IAC-2.
     
DCNS Evolved Aircraft Carrier (DEAC) model at DEFEXPO 2014
     
During Defexpo 2014, a defense exhibition held every 2 years in Delhi, DCNS was showcasing its DEAC (DCNS Evolved Aircraft Carrier). According to information available on DCNS website, DEAC provides power projection, sea control and air defence. It is based on French Navy CVN Charles de Gaulle’s combat proven design and aviation system. The DEAC is compatible with all CTOL aircrafts (including Airborne Early Warning aircraft) and features the latest technologies including cutting-edge Combat System (SETIS®), UAV integration, advanced conventional propulsion and state-of-the-art platform stabilisation system (SATRAP/COGITE). In addition to the design, DCNS offers customised transfer of technology, material packages, dedicated infrastructures development (i.e. naval base and construction/maintenance shipyard) as well as life support solutions.

As Navy Recognition reported in our Defexpo coverage last year, General Atomics and DCNS representatives met to discuss possibilities of fitting EMALS onboard DCNS future aircraft carrier designs.
     
During Defexpo 2014, a defense exhibition held every 2 years in Delhi, DCNS was showcasing its DEAC (DCNS Evolved Aircraft Carrier). According to information available on DCNS website, DEAC provides power projection, sea control and air defence. It is based on French Navy CVN Charles de Gaulle’s combat proven design and aviation system. The DEAC is compatible with all CTOL aircrafts (including Airborne Early Warning aircraft) and features the latest technologies including cutting-edge Combat System (SETIS®), UAV integration, advanced conventional propulsion and state-of-the-art platform stabilisation system (SATRAP/COGITE). In addition to the design, DCNS offers customised transfer of technology, material packages, dedicated infrastructures development (i.e. naval base and construction/maintenance shipyard) as well as life support solutions.
DCNS Evolved Aircraft Carrier (DEAC)
     
The DEAC Aviation facilities are derived from the French Navy Charles de Gaulle nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and from French Navy’s operations:
» 2 x 90 m steam catapults
» Steam boilers designed by DCNS
» Flight deck with a single island located between the a/c lifts with reduced air wake (improves spotting on forward area)
» Larger hangar and aircraft maintenance areas

Generic specifications of DEAC (these may be adapted according to customer needs):
Dimensions: 272 m * 67.5 m
Displacement: 52,000 t (COGAG) / 55 000 t (CODLAG)
Air wing: Up to 40 aircraft
Range: 9,000 nautical miles
Speed: > 27 knots
Crew: 900 sailors

EDIT: 24/07/2015 We had the chance to ask DCNS CEO about IAC-2. More at this link (bottom)