FMD lands deal to support US Navy’s DDG(X) program

July 9, 2025, by Fatima Bahtić

Fairbanks Morse Defense (FMD) has been awarded a contract to provide the U.S. Navy with an FM 175D high-speed diesel generator engine for integration into the DDG(X) land-based propulsion system test site.

As disclosed, the DDG(X) platform is currently in the design and feasibility stage, with construction expected to begin in 2032. As the Navy’s next-generation large surface combatant, the destroyer will replace the existing Flight II Ticonderoga-class cruisers and Flight I/II Arleigh Burke-class destroyers.

In July 2022, HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division was awarded a cost-plus-incentive-fee contract for engineering and design from the US Navy for the DDG(X) program.

HII scores US Navy’s DDG(X) destroyer design and engineering deal

Vessels

DDG(X) will integrate a wider array of advanced systems, demanding unprecedented levels of power generation. The ship is designed with an Integrated Power System (IPS) to generate, convert, and distribute power for ship operations. The DDG(X) electrical plant is expected to deliver more than 75 megawatts of power for standard operations while enabling high-energy equipment, advanced sensors, and enhanced propulsion systems.

The FM 175D propulsion system generator set can produce 3.8 MW of power. According to FMD, unlike conventional high-speed engines, the FM 175D delivers significantly greater power while maximizing fuel efficiency. It has a power output range of 1,740 to 4,400 kilowatts and operates at 1,800 to 2,000 RPM.

Fairbanks Morse Defense launched the FM 175D into the United States in 2023 to meet the growing demand for high-density power system solutions in the naval defense industry.

“Fairbanks Morse Defense has a long history of delivering mission-critical power and propulsion solutions for the U.S. Navy,” said Mike Clark, Chief Operating Officer of Fairbanks Morse Defense.

“The selection of the FM 175D for this important land-based test highlights the superior power density needed on modern surface combatants, ensuring the DDG(X) has the energy needed to operate advanced combat systems while maintaining operational efficiency.”