DRS Technologies has received a $19.7 million contract from the U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command to continue development of a new permanent magnet propulsion motor. Advances in permanent magnet material and electronic drive technology have made permanent magnet motors an attractive alternative for submarine and surface warship applications. The technology offers naval ships space, weight, acoustic and cost benefits over conventional motor technology. Because the ships planned for the future will be equipped with more and larger command and control systems, the efficiency and output capabilities of their power systems will be crucial.

The work will be performed by the company's DRS Power Technology unit in Fitchburg, Mass. Testing is expected to start immediately at the U.S. Navy's land-based test site in Philadelphia, Pa. and continue through September 2007. The test program will operate the permanent magnet propulsion motor up to full torque and full load in a test facility that simulates an actual U.S. Navy DDG-1000 engine room.

The objective of the integrated design and development activity is to incorporate lessons learned from testing the EDM, further improve power density, increase energy efficiency, and reduce manufacturing costs. Design enhancements to improve affordability for shipboard applications have already been initiated, and completion of the enhancements is targeted to support the start of shipboard motor production in 2008.

The U.S. Navy is considering using integrated power systems based on in-hull permanent magnet motors in order to meet the growing power demands for its 21st century ships. DRS is a supplier of shipboard propulsion systems, and advanced permanent magnet motors and generators for the U.S. Navy nuclear submarines and surface combatant ships. The company's headquarters are in Parsippany, N.J.

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