“ALL ELECTRIC SHIP” for the Italian Navy!

elivered in April 2003, the electronic surveillance vessel “Elettra” built by Fincantieri Naval Vessels Division – Muggiano Shipyard (La Spezia) for the Italian Navy, is the first surface vessel featuring the “All Electric Ship” concept.

ABB Solutions SpA, Marine Division of Italy has designed and commissioned the propulsion solution, based on two Multi – Electronic Permanent Magnet Motors (MEMP) each rated 1500 KW and driving two fixed pitch propeller.

The MEMP drive is made of two sections: the motor section and the converter section. The motor section is a synchronous multi-pole motor with permanent magnets fitted on the rotor and split into two, in this case, axial independent sub-motors. The stator is also split transversally into six identical magnetic stator units (UMS).

Each segment is fed by its own Multi Converter power Module (MCM, located in the Converter Section), in order to get a completely independent unit. This solution has enabled to meet the strict constrains for air and structure borne noise levels required by this project and the modular construction of both motors and converters meets the demand of Reliability, Availability and Maintainability (RAM) of the whole system.
source


Looks like other countries are going after the all electric warship design. Next there be making directed energy weapons that use electric power. Like the DDX! Pretty awesome development, I'll try and get some more info on this project.

Displacement: 3,180 tons full load
Dimensions: 93 x 15.2 x 5.1 meters
Propulsion: diesel-electric, 2 diesels, 2 shafts, 4,000 bhp, 16 knots
Crew: 27
Aviation: flight deck; UAVs


hHere is the link to those specifications. It looks like they want to use this tech, for its steath capabilites. Because I don't think electronic surveliance ships are well protected. So if they can't be detected, they will have a better chance of not being destroyed. Thats just my opinion, can anyone shed more light on this?

Cool, hopefully they wount need it...