The U.S. Navy's mine-hunter and mine-sweeper ships (MCM-1 and MHC 51 Class) will not be fitted
with new engines, but will remain equipped with their current high technology, non-
magnetic diesel engines manufactured by Italian engine company Isotta
Fraschini. The Navy's decision was based on the company providing free system
upgrades to several engines, better maintenance oversight, and the engines'
superb performance during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
"The strong performance of the Isotta Fraschini engines and the enduring
commitment of our company to the United States Navy make them a natural and
reliable partner with the Navy fleet," said Upinder Kamal, Vice President of
Isotta's Virginia subsidiary, FDGM. "In the future, we look forward to
strengthening even further our relationship with the Navy, our most important
customer and partner," he continued.
Isotta-FDGM continues to help keep the Navy's
mine warfare ships in
superior shape with its full-service and parts support facility and factory
trained mechanics in Ingleside, Texas, near the homeport of most of the Navy's
mine warfare ships; in Sasebo, Japan, and Manama, Bahrain, for mine
countermeasure ships in the Pacific and Arabian Gulf theaters. FDGM is also
preparing to undertake improvement programs to assure full fleet readiness and
high performance for the future.