Navy Choses Electric Drives For DD-21

The U.S. Navy will use electric drive in its new class of DD-21 destroyers. The new warships will use a diesel or turbine engine to propel the DD-21 and generate electric power, unlike current warships that have separate engines for movement and electricity. The electric drive system offers a host of advantages versus traditional arrangements, including the elimination of long shafting and gears, and the freeing of much valued space for other purposes. Currently two industry teams are bidding to build the DD-21s, one team headed by General Dynamics Corp.'s Bath Iron Works shipyard and Lockheed Martin Corp.; the other headed by Litton Industries' Ingalls shipyard division and Raytheon Co.