The USNS Sacagawea, the second of nine new combat logistics force ships, successfully completed acceptance sea trials on January 31. Converteam Inc. is part of a team of companies contributing to the development of this vessel, specifically responsible for the design of ship’s electric power, propulsion, and vessel automation system.
The U.S. Navy’s T-AKE Program is a new class of dry cargo and ammunition supply ships currently being built by General Dynamics NASSCO in San Diego, CA. The total contract value for all nine ships is $2.8b. The mission of these auxiliary support ships will be to deliver ammunition, food, fuel, repair parts, and other supplies and materials to other Navy ships at sea. The builder’s sea trials of the Sacagawea put to the test Converteam’s 23 MW Propulsion System design under actual operating conditions. All aspects of the power generation, distribution, propulsion system, and propulsion motor performed superbly.