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.