Coast Guard's Offshore Patrol Cutters to be equipped with hybrid electric drive technology
NewsApril 17, 2017
Arlington, Va. Eastern Shipbuilding officials selected Leonardo DRS, Inc. to provide hybrid electric drive systems for the U.S. Coast Guard?s new fleet of Offshore Patrol Cutters. For the first nine systems, the contract is worth an estimated $10.7 million.
Under the contract, Leonardo DRS will provide its high-performance, permanent magnet motor-based Auxiliary Propulsion System. This integrated hybrid electric drive system provides capability for the ship to operate much more efficiently at slower speeds, increases mission duration capability, reduces emissions, and provides emergency take-home capability in the event of a failure of the main propulsion diesel engines.
When coupled to the main propulsion gearbox, the system allows the ship to operate quietly and efficiently during loitering operations while providing superior fuel economy for increased on-station operations and capability, officials explain.
