June, 2004 -- Winterthur, Switzerland -- MAAG Gear AG will design and supply the main reduction gears for the LCS (Littoral Combat Ship) Lockheed Martin is developing for the U.S. Navy. On May 27 the U.S. Navy awarded Lockheed Martin a contract to complete the final design for this new type of vessel with options for the construction of up to two Flight 0 ships. If these options are exercised, construction of the first ship by Marinette Marine will commence in January 2005, and the second ship by the Bollinger Shipyard in 2006. Lockheed Martin’s LCS is being designed by Gibbs and Cox as a high-speed naval combatant capable of speeds approaching 60 knots. The ship will be powered by two gas turbines and two diesel engines. Over the long term, the overall number of ships currently projected for the U.S. Navy totals 57 for the class.
MAAG’s main reduction gear for the LCS will be custom designed to power the ship’s four water jets from either the diesel engines, gas turbines or both in Combined Operation Diesel and Gas Turbine (CODAG) mode. Transfer between modes will be automatically controlled via the MAAG supplied integrated control system in combination with the ship’s main propulsion control and monitoring system. The main reduction gearing supplied by MAAG will provide quiet, reliable operation in this demanding application as it has for other world navies.
General Electric’s Marine Engine Gear business, located in Lynn, MA, acting as a subcontractor to MAAG, will manufacture critical rotating components for the main reduction gear, and will be responsible for final assembly and test of the gears. The GE Marine Gear operation has a strong relationship with the U.S. Navy, and a long history of supplying main reduction gearing for U.S. Navy ships.
Artec Machine Systems located in North Branford, CT, MAAG’s long term sales and service agent in the United States, will act as MAAG’s program coordinator to the Lockheed Martin propulsion team.
MAAG has been supplying main reduction gearing to naval forces around the world for many years. “We are extremely pleased to be bringing our CODAG technology to this unique and special application for the U.S. Navy,” MAAG Gear AG President Thomas Deeg said. “We are also excited about working with GE who has gear technology recognized as among the best in the world.”
MAAG Gear AG is a member of the F.L.Smidth Group. F.L.Smidth is a worldwide engineering company with an annual turnover in excess of DKK 7bn. The organization employs more than 4,000 competent staff. F.L.Smidth is owned by FLS Industries A/S.
MAAG Gear AG in Winterthur, Switzerland is a global player in the international gear manufacturing industry. MAAG’s main product lines include mill gear units for the cement industry, high speed gear units for compressor drives, power generation and pumps, as well as specially designed and complex high power main gear transmissions for the marine market.
Artec Machine Systems has over 30 years experience with specialty gear systems including turbo-machinery for the petrochemical industry, mill gears for cement production, alternate services for marine drives such as fast ferry and high speed pleasure yachts as well as ski lift and extruder drives. Artec maintains a repair and service center at its facilities serving all of North America.
