During recent sea trials, the USNS Arctic (T-AOE-8) fast combat support ship reached its top speed for the first time in three years because of the remanufactured high-speed gear elements designed and built by Northrop Grumman Corporation.
The high-speed gear elements manufactured for the Arctic by another supplier developed cracks, limiting the vessel's ability to operate at the speeds necessary to keep up with the carrier battle groups it is designed to support. In addition, the gears were plagued with high bearing temperatures and an unreliable instrumentation system. The Military Sealift Command (MSC) solicited a new set of first reduction gear elements through a competitive procurement, and awarded Northrop Grumman a contract in January 2008.
Northrop Grumman designed new high-speed gear elements, more robust and reliable bearings, and a new temperature monitoring system, all of which performed at or above requirements during the recent sea trials. As a result, the Arctic will now be able to return to unrestricted service. The vessel was first commissioned in 1995.
The T-AOE fast combat support ships are designed for rapid logistics support of Navy vessels that are in combat. Their ability to transport heavy supply loads efficiently and quickly requires powerful reduction gears for ship propulsion.