FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Apr 02, 2007
San Diego, CA. 2 April 2007. The Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) has awarded $10.7 million to General Atomics (GA) for research and development work for the Navy’s next generation integrated power system (IPS). GA will evaluate new architectures for distributing power and will develop the enabling high-voltage power electronics systems required to meet the electrical power demands of modern warships.
Advanced systems for the Navy’s all-electric ship require increasing the power density of existing power generation and power distribution systems. GA will develop methods to increase this power density using a high voltage DC distribution system. The DC-Link™ can provide power to all loads on the ship, including direct high-voltage feeds to future electric propulsion motor drives and electric weapons, and step-down DC/DC converters for low voltage ship service requirements.
GA will construct brass-board prototype systems, with testing beginning in May 2008. The work conducted under this new contract will build on GA’s past work developing Integrated Fight Through Power (IFTP) power conversion modules. Mike Reed, Senior Vice President for the GA Electromagnetic Systems Division, stated “The DC-Link™ architecture will provide a significant improvement over the present state of the art in shipboard power generation and distribution systems in terms of weight, volume, cost, reduced system components, maintenance, and survivability.”
General Atomics, founded in 1955, specializes in diversified research, development, and manufacturing in defense, energy, and other advanced technologies. Affiliated manufacturing and commercial service companies include General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., which produces the Predator® family of unmanned aerial systems.
For further information contact:
Carl Fisher
Director, Business Development
Electromagnetic Systems Division
(202) 496-8217
carl.fisher@ga.com
Doug Fouquet
Public Relations
(858) 455-2173
fouquet@ga.com
For photo, contact:
Nancy Hitchcox
Marketing Communications Manager
(858) 455-3951
nancy.hitchcox@ga.com