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From: tek@CS.UCLA.EDU (Ted Kim (Random Dude))
Newsgroups: sci.military
Subject: Re: French Carriers
Message-ID: <1991Apr22.071814.25067@amd.com>
Date: 20 Apr 91 01:19:45 GMT
References: <1991Apr19.070442.12977@amd.com>
Sender: military@amd.com
Organization: UCLA
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Approved: military@amd.com


From: tek@CS.UCLA.EDU (Ted Kim (Random Dude))


wcsswag@ccs.carleton.ca (Alex Klaus) writes:
>What will the air wing consist of? Will they still fly Super
>Etendards, and Crusaders of them? 

The new carrier will fly the Rafale multi-role aircraft. The Crusaders
are being fixed up once again so they can last until the Rafale
arrives. The fix up doesn't aim to do much except keep them flying.

>Will they still fly the Alize or will they be replaced?  

According to the USNI Proceedings March 1991, the new carrier will
probably fly rebuilt Grumman S-2s with the French Vigil K-band
radar. However, they are envisioned as filling a primarily AEW role. 
Certainly, though, there will be helicopters available for carrier
ASW.

The Alize is being modernized again with some increase in capability
and to extend its life. Presumably, they will retire once the rebuilt
S-2s appear. 

-- 
Ted Kim                           Internet: tek@penzance.cs.ucla.edu
UCLA Computer Science Department  UUCP:     ...!{uunet|ucbvax}!cs.ucla.edu!tek