The Zumwalt is an all-electric ship and the world’s most advanced naval vessel. It’s powered by two Rolls-Royce MT30 gas turbine generators together with two smaller RR4500 turbines and two monobloc propellers.
Built by General Dynamics in Maine, Zumwalt took to the seas last year. Programme Manager Andrew Leech led the commissioning team. He says: “It’s a massive project. We had to work closely with other suppliers, the shipyard and the US Navy. “We’ve had to commission each generator set, carry out the turbine light-off, tune the engines and then get all of the generators properly synched.”
Service Engineer Scott Riemersma has served on the Zumwalt since September.. “We make sure the generators that drive our propellers are running smoothly, - we’ve had only minor glitches. I have ridden this ship to its homeport of San Diego, It’s been an amazing journey.”
The vessel is as impressive on the inside as it is from the outside,” says Scott. “There’s a great vibe among the crew. Everyone is excited to be on the Zumwalt.”