DRS Technologies has been awarded a contract by the US Navy to supply energy-storage modules (ESM) for the DDG 51-class ships.
Under the contract, DRS’s Power and Control Technologies business unit will design, manufacture and qualify ESM, which will function as a ship-wide uninterruptible power supply.
The $17m agreement, awarded by the US Naval Sea Systems Command, has options, which, if exercised, will bring the total value to $88m.
It also includes design, engineering and associated support for the energy-storage system.
DRS Maritime and Combat Support Systems Group president Roger Sexauer said: "This ESM system is a great initiative by the navy, which should offer tremendous fuel savings for naval surface combatants."
EMS will enable the ship’s electric plant to run on one versus two gas turbine generators, which maintains vital power in the event of a generator failure.
There is also a planned installation on the existing flight I and II DDG 51-class ships.
Capable of operating in multi-threat air, surface and sub-surface threat environments, the DDG 51-class vessels provide combat capability and survivability characteristics, while minimising procurement and lifetime support costs.
Powered by four gas-turbine propulsion plants, the 509ft-long destroyers have a displacement capacity of 9,500t, can cruise at a speed of 30kts and are equipped with advanced sensors, as well as weapons systems to engage anti-ship missile threats.
Image: Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer Michael Murphy (DDG 112) christening ceremony. Photo: courtesy of US Navy mass communication specialist 2nd Class Dominique M. Lasco/Released.
