Defence system manufacturer General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) has been awarded a contract to provide structural hardware for the propulsor of the US Navy’s new Columbia-class submarine.
As explained, the delivery task order is part of a broad indefinite delivery indefinite quantity (IDIQ) propulsor demonstration hardware (PDH) contract to develop and deliver critical components and hardware for installation on current and future US Navy nuclear-powered submarines. The contracting party is Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division (NSWCCD).
The hardware is scheduled for delivery in early 2023. Engineering is underway at GA-EMS’ San Diego and Tupelo, MS facilities, with all manufacturing occurring in Tupelo.
“From engineering Virginia-class bearings to developing new propulsion techniques for the next submarine design, we facilitate the use of new techniques, … materials, precision machining, and extensive test procedures to deliver equipment that meets exacting specifications,” stated Scott Forney , president of GA-EMS.
“This task order involves the precision machining of components to extremely tight tolerances and demanding material specifications, and the delivery of approximately ten thousand pounds of hardware that will affix the Propulsor Bearing Support Structure, already provided by GA-EMS, to the submarine. “
Forney added that the delivery will meet the shipyard’s schedule for the installation of critical components onto the first Columbia-class submarine currently under construction, and it will provide the manufacturing template for these structures in follow-on ships of this class.
To remind, in March this year, GA-EMS informed that it delivered the first of two bearing support structures (BSS) for installation in the first Columbia-class submarine currently under construction.