Other attributes that come with the hybrid propulsion plant design;
Game-changing acoustic signature management
Game-changing acoustic signature management – the hybrid drive system is ultra-quiet because it uses an electric motor decoupled from the main reduction gearbox. This provides an exceptionally quiet machinery state and creates an environment to maximise performance of the undersea warfare systems and other mission systems associated with anti-submarine warfare.
Vital space and weight reduction
Vital space and weight reduction for more fuel capacity or mission systems equipment such as the Vertical Launch System through the installation of fewer total engines and auxiliary systems with simpler inlet and exhaust ducting.
Extra space for crew accommodations
Extra space for crew accommodations via a single-gas turbine hybrid architecture, enabling overall shorter ship lengths and enhanced affordability for given military capability.
Enhanced range
Enhanced range using controllable or fixed pitch propellers in concert with diesel-electric propulsion at cruise speed (~16 knots) and below, providing higher system efficiency to meet and exceed threshold (and objective) range requirements with specified fuel capacity. Equally important with the single-36-40MW MT30 gas turbine in a CODLOG arrangement simulated modelling using a typical frigate operational profile achieves a 2%-3% fuel consumption savings over the conventional CODOG arrangement.
Inherent operational flexibility in electrical power generation
Inherent operational flexibility in electrical power generation with the availability of up to 18MW of installed electrical capability while operating at 27 knots by using the electric propulsion motors in a power take-off mode.
Game-changing propulsion
This represents game-changing propulsion and warfighting capability, certainly when considering the potential future installation of directed energy weapons.
Simple, proven engineering plant
Finally, it’s a simple, proven engineering plant – the 36-40MW gas turbine may be viewed as an enabler for the inherently simple CODLOG arrangement where electrical and mechanical systems are not required to power-share as in the case of the CODLAG arrangement.