GE Vernova secures contract for U.S. Navy's advanced propulsion load system testing
These systems are planned to be used to rigorously test the performance and reliability of shipboard propulsion systems in a controlled, land-based environment before deployment at sea.
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GE Vernova Inc. announced that its Power Conversion business has secured a contract to develop and deliver a Propulsion Load System (PLS) for the U.S. Navy’s land-based testing facilities to support a new generation of advanced naval surface vessels. These systems are planned to be used to rigorously test the performance and reliability of shipboard propulsion systems in a controlled, land-based environment before deployment at sea.
Contract Overview
The scope of the contract, which was booked in the second quarter of 2024, includes the design, manufacturing, delivery, and installation of two independent PLS units at a U.S. Navy facility over a three-year period. The program and the facility, managed by the Naval Surface Warfare Center Philadelphia Division (NSWCPD), will serve as the primary site for testing and qualification of propulsion systems for a new generation of advanced naval vessels, such as the FFG-62 and DDG(X). By simulating real-world shipboard conditions, the PLS is designed to help reduce technical risks, streamline development timelines, and train future crews, providing a strategic advantage to the Navy.
The system is expected to incorporate a full suite of power conversion technologies, including propulsion load electric motors, E-houses, power electronic motor drives, switchboards, motor control centers, load banks, transformers, and related essential infrastructure.
Technological Significance:
The contract further solidifies GE Vernova’s leadership in providing more energy-efficient electric propulsion technologies for complex naval applications. With over 40 U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard vessel references, decades of experience with land-based test facilities, and successful integration of similar systems in programs such as the Columbia Class and Zumwalt Class, GE Vernova continues to demonstrate its expertise in this field.
Program Background
The award comes from the US Navy’s Program Executive Office (PEO) Ships under the program offices PMS 515 (frigates) and PMS 460 (DDG(X) program), with technical and programmatic ownership by the NSWC. The agreement, administered through the Maritime Sustainment Technology and Innovation Consortium (MSTIC) and managed by Advanced Technology International (ATI) is the largest agreement awarded to date on the MSTIC Other Transaction Authority (OTA).
This is GE Vernova Power Conversion’s first Other Transaction Authority (OTA) award. OTAs provide the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and other government agencies with the flexibility needed to carry out innovation, prototype, research, and production programs by adapting and incorporating business practices that align with commercial industry standards. They promote flexible, faster, and more cost-effective product design and execution.
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