Warships’ systems ‘completely different’

Re: Questions over $60B warship’s systems, Dec. 5 This article seems to be based on a government document that incorrectly equates the British Type 26 propulsion system with that of the failure-plagued Type 45 RN destroyer. The Type 45 propulsion system is an Integrated Electric Propulsion System based on two WR-21 gas turbine alternators and two Wartsila diesel generators. Essentially, the Type 45 has an all-electric prime mover system. The Type 26, on the other hand, is fitted with a Combined Diesel-Electric or Gas propulsion system build around the MT-30 gas turbine prime mover to balance both high-speed transits and acoustic quieting for anti-submarine operations. One wonders how government officials could confuse two completely different propulsion systems?

As for claims by some that the Type 26 should not have been considered for the Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC) project, the government qualifying requirement stipulated “at a minimum, a preliminary design for a Surface Combatant of at least 90 metres overall length,” a requirement that the Type 26 obviously met as it was qualified and accepted by the government.

The CSC project is too important to Canada and her navy to be the subject of inaccurate information.

Ian Parker, Director Naval Affairs, Naval Association of Canada

COURTESY LOCKHEED MARTIN CANADA An artist’s rendering of the Type 26 Global Combat Ship, Lockheed Martin’s proposed design for Canada’s $60-billion fleet of new warships, which will be fitted with the Type 26 propulsion system.