The Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer is the mainstay of the U.S. Navy’s surface combatants. There are 62 active destroyers of this class, and up to another 42 planned. Each packs more than 90 missiles, as well as other weapons systems. In addition to our super carriers, they represent a key component of the United States projecting its power around the globe. And they are about to get a little greener, with the addition of hybrid electric drives.
Starting in 2016, the Navy will start to convert 34 of the newest boats in the class to hybrid drives. This will be accomplished by integrating an electric motor into the ship’s main reduction gear. It will be able to operate on fully electric power at speeds below 13 knots. Above that, it will continue to run the quartet of General Electric gas turbine engines.
The Navy says if the electric drivetrain is used half of the time, it will be able to extend the ship’s fuel supply an extra two and a half days between refueling. That is thousands of barrels of fuel per deployment.
The Navy will start outfitting a pair of ships in 2016, and will up that to four ships per year starting in 2017.
