Leonardo to provide APS for USCG cutters
Leonardo DRS has received a contract worth $10.7 million from Eastern Shipbuilding to provide integrated hybrid electric drive systems for the US Coast Guard's (USCG's) new fleet of Offshore Patrol Cutters, the company announced on 13 April.
The contract covers the delivery of the first nine systems.
Leonardo DRS will provide its permanent magnet motor-based Auxiliary Propulsion System (APS). This hybrid electric drive system provides capability for the ship to operate efficiently at slower speeds, increases mission duration capability, reduces emissions and provides emergency take-home capability, in case of a failure of the main propulsion diesel engines. When coupled to the main propulsion gearbox, the system allows the ship to operate quietly during loitering operations while providing superior fuel economy for increased on-station operations and capability.
Built and designed by Leonardo DRS, the APS includes two permanent magnet motors. They have significant advantages with regards to size, weight, efficiency and performance over conventional electric induction motors and create more torque from the same amount of supplied current. Their smaller footprint enables maximum flexibility in engine room design and increased cargo space.
Using propulsion diesel engines at slow speeds causes wear and tear on the engines and increases the potential for coking/wet stacking. The electric APS will help the USCG reduce fuel and maintenance requirements.
You may also like
More from Naval Warfare
-
![What the rise of interoperability between Western allies means for defence procurement]()
What the rise of interoperability between Western allies means for defence procurement
Major naval initiatives including the European Patrol Corvette programmes and Norway’s UK partnership-focused purchase of Type 26 frigates point to the growing interest in the advantages of commonality across allied navies.
-
![Kraken’s Royal Navy USV contract signals next step in crewed-uncrewed integration]()
Kraken’s Royal Navy USV contract signals next step in crewed-uncrewed integration
The UK Royal Navy’s rapid procurement of uncrewed platforms aligns with the force’s strategic shift towards a fleet better equipped to handle modern threats.
-
![HMS Anson’s milestone stay in Australia cut short during AUKUS deployment]()
HMS Anson’s milestone stay in Australia cut short during AUKUS deployment
The Astute-class submarine’s visit to Australia was the first time maintenance activity on a UK Royal Navy nuclear submarine had been carried out in the country.
-
![How Operation Epic Fury could reduce US readiness to face China]()
How Operation Epic Fury could reduce US readiness to face China
The offensive against Iran could impact training and maintenance cycles and accelerate the degradation of the US arsenal on top of depleting Washington’s stockpiles.
-
![UK Royal Navy explores modular counter-drone capabilities for future hybrid fleet]()
UK Royal Navy explores modular counter-drone capabilities for future hybrid fleet
The UK MoD is scoping out systems to counter the growing threat of uncrewed aerial systems, with a focus on low-cost modularity and speed to field.
