Electric power is the Navy’s future. New technologies, evolving operating environments, and more stringent policies on pollution and climate change are driving the demand for more power. The Navy is investing in new ways of managing and storing power to address the growing demand. Several classes of ships are already employing either hybrid-electric or electric integrated propulsion systems. Future classes, including the Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) and the Future Large Surface Combatant or DDG(X), will be powered by an all-electric drive system as part of an Integrated Power System (IPS). To respond to increasing demands for power while making progress toward a future electric-drive fleet, the Navy must pursue multiple avenues. I have written more on how the Navy will transition to its electric future here.
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