This article summarizes reporting by Reuters.

France Confirms Launch of Next-Generation Nuclear Aircraft Carrier Program

French President Emmanuel Macron has officially confirmed that France will proceed with the construction of a new nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, intended to replace the aging Charles de Gaulle by 2038. Speaking to French troops stationed in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, December 21, Macron outlined the decision as a critical step in maintaining France’s status as a global maritime power.

According to reporting by Reuters, the President emphasized the necessity of naval strength in an increasingly volatile world. The announcement, made from a strategic military base in the United Arab Emirates, underscores Paris’s commitment to projecting power beyond Europe, particularly into the Indo-Pacific region.

The new vessel, known as the Porte-Avions de Nouvelle Génération (PANG), represents a significant technological and industrial undertaking. It aims to ensure France remains the only European Union nation capable of deploying a nuclear carrier strike group, a capability central to Macron’s vision of European “strategic autonomy.”

A New Giant of the Seas

The PANG program calls for a vessel that will significantly outclass its predecessor in size, power, and capability. While the Charles de Gaulle displaces approximately 42,500 tonnes, defense reports indicate the new carrier will be the largest warship ever built in Europe.

Technical Specifications and Capabilities

Based on technical data cited by naval analysts and French media, the new carrier is expected to displace between 75,000 and 80,000 tonnes and measure over 300 meters in length. It will be powered by two K22 nuclear reactors, providing nearly double the power output of the current fleet’s propulsion systems.

A key feature of the new design is the integration of the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS), technology currently used by the U.S. Navy’s Gerald R. Ford-class carriers. This system replaces traditional steam catapults, allowing for the launch of heavier Military-Aircraft and Drones while reducing mechanical stress on the airframes.

The air wing is expected to include:

• Rafale M fighters: The current backbone of French naval aviation.
• Future Combat Air System (FCAS): A sixth-generation fighter currently in development with Germany and Spain.
• Advanced Drones and E-2D Hawkeyes: For surveillance and strike support.

“The decision to launch this vast programme was taken this week,” Macron told troops, highlighting the strategic urgency of the project.

Strategic Context and Geopolitical Signals

The choice of Abu Dhabi for this major announcement was likely calculated. The UAE hosts a permanent French naval base, serving as a logistical hub for operations in the Indian Ocean and the Persian Gulf. By unveiling the PANG program here, Paris is signaling its intent to protect its extensive Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the Indo-Pacific and counter growing naval competition in the region.

Budgetary and Political Headwinds

The ambitious project comes at a time of significant domestic financial strain. Reports estimate the program’s cost will exceed €10 billion ($10.5 billion). With France facing a projected public deficit of over 6% of GDP in 2025 and a minority government navigating a hung parliament, the allocation of such vast funds has drawn criticism from opposition parties.

Critics argue the funds could be better utilized for social services or debt reduction. However, supporters and industry stakeholders note that the project will sustain thousands of jobs at major defense contractors like Naval Group and Chantiers de l’Atlantique, as well as hundreds of smaller suppliers.

AirPro News Analysis

The Paradox of Autonomy: While President Macron champions “strategic autonomy,” the ability for Europe to act independently of the United States, the PANG program reveals the practical limits of this doctrine. By adopting the U.S.-designed EMALS catapult system, the French Navy ensures interoperability with American supercarriers but also cements a long-term technological dependence on U.S. suppliers. This decision suggests that while France seeks political independence, it recognizes that high-end naval warfare requires deep technical integration with its NATO allies.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the new carrier enter service?
Construction is slated to begin around 2031, with sea trials expected in 2036. The vessel is scheduled to be fully commissioned by 2038, coinciding with the retirement of the Charles de Gaulle.

Why is France choosing nuclear Propulsion?
Nuclear propulsion offers unlimited range and the ability to sustain high speeds for long durations without refueling. It also allows the ship to generate the massive amounts of electricity required for next-generation sensors and electromagnetic catapults.

How much will the project cost?
Current estimates place the cost at over €10 billion ($10.5 billion), though complex defense programs often see costs rise during development.

Will other European nations use this carrier?
While the carrier is a French national asset, it is designed to support European security. However, it will primarily host French naval aviation, with potential for interoperability with U.S. and allied aircraft.

Sources: Reuters

This article is based on an official press release from Firehawk Aerospace.

Firehawk Aerospace Acquires Mississippi Facility to Scale Rocket Motor Production

On December 19, 2025, Firehawk Aerospace announced a significant expansion of its manufacturing capabilities with the acquisition of a specialized defense facility in Crawford, Mississippi. The Dallas-based defense technology company has secured a 20-year lease on the 636-acre site, which was formerly operated by Nammo Talley.

This acquisition marks a strategic pivot for Firehawk as it moves to address critical shortages in the U.S. defense supply chain. By taking over a facility that is already rated by the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), the company aims to bypass the lengthy construction and certification timelines typically associated with greenfield defense projects. The site will serve as a hub for the full-system integration of solid rocket motors (SRMs), complementing the company’s existing R&D operations in Texas and energetics production in Oklahoma.

Strategic Asset Details

The Crawford facility is located in Lowndes County within Mississippi’s “Golden Triangle” region. According to the company’s announcement, the site is a “turnkey” defense asset designed specifically for handling high-grade explosives and munitions. The infrastructure includes assembly bays protected by one-foot-thick concrete walls and safety “blowout” walls designed to contain accidental detonations.

Because the facility was previously used by Nammo Defense Systems for the high-volume assembly of shoulder-launched munitions, such as the M72 LAW and SMAW systems, it retains the necessary regulatory certifications to allow for rapid operational ramp-up. Firehawk Aerospace CEO Will Edwards emphasized the urgency of this expansion in a statement regarding the deal.

“This acquisition strengthens Firehawk’s ability to address one of the nation’s most urgent defense challenges: rebuilding munition inventories that have been drawn down faster than they can be replaced.”

, Will Edwards, Co-founder and CEO of Firehawk Aerospace

Addressing the “Rocket Motor Crisis”

The acquisition comes at a time when the Western defense industrial base is grappling with a severe shortage of solid rocket motors, which power critical systems like the Javelin, Stinger, and GMLRS missiles. Traditional manufacturing methods, which involve casting propellant in large batches that take weeks to cure, have created production bottlenecks.

Firehawk Aerospace intends to disrupt this model by utilizing proprietary 3D-printing technology to manufacture propellant grains. According to the press release, this additive manufacturing approach reduces production times from weeks to hours. The company has explicitly stated that the new Mississippi facility is being designed to achieve a production tempo of “thousands of rockets per month,” a significant increase over legacy industry standards.

“While the current industrial base is built to produce thousands of rockets per year, we are building this site… to operate at a much higher production tempo… designing for throughput measured in thousands per month, not years.”

, Will Edwards, CEO

Regional Economic Impact

The expansion is expected to bring skilled jobs to the Golden Triangle region, which is increasingly becoming a hub for aerospace and defense activity. Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves welcomed the investments, noting the dual benefits of economic growth and national security support.

“Their acquisition in Crawford will bring skilled jobs to the region while directly contributing to the production capacity our nation needs.”

, Tate Reeves, Governor of Mississippi

AirPro News Analysis

From R&D to Mass Production: This acquisition signals Firehawk’s transition from a development-focused startup to a volume manufacturer. By securing a pre-rated facility, Firehawk has effectively shaved 2–3 years off its timeline, the period typically required to build and certify a new explosives handling site. This speed is critical given the current geopolitical demand for tactical munitions.

Supply Chain Decentralization: The move also highlights a strategy of decentralization. By distributing operations across Texas (R&D), Oklahoma (Energetics), and now Mississippi (Integration), Firehawk is building a supply chain that may prove more resilient than centralized legacy models. This geographic diversity also allows the company to tap into distinct labor markets and state-level incentives, such as Mississippi’s aerospace initiatives.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the significance of the DCMA rating?
A DCMA (Defense Contract Management Agency) rating verifies that a facility meets strict Department of Defense quality and safety standards. Acquiring a pre-rated facility allows Firehawk to begin production much faster than if they had to build and certify a new site from scratch.

How does Firehawk’s technology differ from traditional methods?
Traditional solid rocket motors are cast in large batches, a process that requires weeks for the propellant to cure. Firehawk uses 3D-printing technology to print propellant grains, which allows for custom geometries and reduces the manufacturing time to mere hours.

What was the facility used for previously?
The facility was formerly operated by Nammo Talley (now Nammo Defense Systems) for the assembly of shoulder-launched munitions, including the M72 LAW and SMAW systems.

Sources

• PR Newswire / Firehawk Aerospace

Two Decades of the Raptor: Celebrating the F-22’s Operational Milestone

Lockheed Martin has launched a campaign commemorating the 20th anniversary of the F-22 Raptor achieving Initial Operational Capability (IOC). In December 2005, the 27th Fighter Squadron at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia became the first unit to field the fifth-generation fighter, marking a significant shift in global air superiority.

According to the manufacturer’s announcement, the aircraft continues to define the benchmark for modern air combat. In a statement regarding the milestone, Lockheed Martin emphasized the platform’s enduring relevance:

“The F-22 Raptor sets the global standard for capability, readiness, and mission success.”

While the airframe was designed in the 1990s and first flew in 1997, the F-22 remains a central pillar of U.S. air power. The fleet, which consists of approximately 185 remaining aircraft out of the 195 originally built, has evolved from a pure air superiority fighter into a multi-role platform capable of ground strikes and strategic deterrence.

Operational History and Combat Record

Since its operational debut, the F-22 has maintained a reputation for dominance, primarily established through high-end military aircraft exercises rather than direct air-to-air combat against manned aircraft.

Exercise Performance vs. Combat Reality

Data from the U.S. Air Force and independent observers highlights the discrepancy between the Raptor’s exercise performance and its real-world combat engagements. During the 2006 Northern Edge exercise, its first major test after becoming operational, the F-22 reportedly achieved a 108-to-0 kill ratio against simulated adversaries flying F-15s, F-16s, and F/A-18s.

Despite this lethality in training, the aircraft’s combat record is distinct. The F-22 made its combat debut in September 2014 during Operation Inherent Resolve, conducting ground strikes against ISIS targets in Syria. To date, the aircraft has zero confirmed kills against manned enemy aircraft. Its sole air-to-air victory occurred in February 2023, when an F-22 utilized an AIM-9X Sidewinder missile to down a high-altitude Chinese surveillance balloon off the coast of South Carolina.

Stealth Capabilities

The primary driver of the F-22’s longevity is its low observable technology. Defense analysts estimate the Raptor’s Radar Cross Section (RCS) to be approximately 0.0001 square meters, roughly the size of a steel marble. This makes it significantly stealthier than the F-35 Lightning II and orders of magnitude harder to detect than foreign competitors like the Russian Su-57 or the Chinese J-20.

AirPro News Analysis: The Readiness Paradox

While Lockheed Martin’s anniversary campaign highlights “readiness” as a key pillar of the F-22’s legacy, recent Air Force data suggests a more complex reality regarding the fleet’s health.

We note that maintaining the world’s premier stealth fighter comes at a steep logistical cost. According to data published by Air & Space Forces Magazine regarding Fiscal Year 2024, the F-22’s mission capable (MC) rate dropped to approximately 40%. This figure represents a decline from roughly 52% in the previous fiscal year and indicates that, at any given time, fewer than half of the Raptors in the inventory are flyable and combat-ready.

This low readiness rate is largely attributed to the fragility of the aircraft’s stealth coatings and the aging avionics of the older airframes. The Air Force has previously attempted to retire 32 older “Block 20” F-22s used for training to divert funds toward newer programs, though Congress has blocked these efforts to preserve fleet numbers. The contrast between the jet’s theoretical dominance and its logistical availability remains a critical challenge for planners.

Modernization and Future Outlook

Contrary to earlier projections that might have seen the F-22 retired in the 2030s, the Air Force is investing heavily to keep the platform viable until the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter comes online.

The ARES Contract and Upgrades

In 2021, the Air Force awarded Lockheed Martin a $10.9 billion contract for the Advanced Raptor Enhancement and Sustainment (ARES) program. This decade-long modernization effort aims to update the fleet’s hardware and software.

According to budget documents for Fiscal Year 2026, the “Viability” upgrade package includes several key enhancements:

• New Stealth Tanks: The development of low-drag external fuel tanks and pods designed to extend the aircraft’s range without compromising its radar signature.
• Infrared Search and Track (IRST): The integration of new sensors capable of detecting heat signatures, a critical capability for engaging enemy stealth fighters that may not appear on radar.
• Manned-Unmanned Teaming: Software upgrades intended to allow F-22 pilots to control “Collaborative Combat Aircraft”, autonomous drone wingmen, in future operational environments.

These investments suggest that while the F-22 is celebrating its past 20 years, the Air Force intends to rely on its capabilities well into the next decade.

Sources

Sources: Lockheed Martin, U.S. Air Force