Fairbanks Morse Defense (FMD)…which has been expanding its offering as single-source maritime defense contractor, said its cross-company package for WMSM-919 includes two main propulsion diesel engines through Fairbanks Morse Defense, a hangar door and stores elevator through Federal Equipment Company (FEC), reverse osmosis system through Maxim Watermakers, two all-electric davits through Welin Lambie, and various electrical components (cable trays, light supports, piping supports, down commers, stuffing tubes, etc.) through Research, Tool & Die (RT&D).
Not unexpected, but good to see movement on the project, plus, it is a good excuse to publish the graphic.
Looking closely at the graphic, on the fantail, I see two buff-colored pieces that look like the lifting equipment. I am curious about what they are for?
Maybe those stern structures are for future surface/subsurface drone recovery? Just guessing at this point.
That occured to me too, but more probably just for loading stores. They do look a lot like the equipment on the stern of some the NSCs that don’t have the overhead boat transfer system.
friend commissioned an nsc, said the original overhead boat crane system was a maint nightmare.
I have heard the overhead traversing system problems have been addressed, but I have seen both the overhead system and installations with lifting arms on either side of the fantail on different NSCs (never both of course).
The aft pieces are stores handling cranes, and the mid-ship is for feeding the davits. The configuration of the aft cranes are very similar to the NSC replacements, just a bit smaller.
2 things.
1. The main engine selection is changing? Yikes.
2. Aft gun looks like its other than Mk 38 mod 3.
believe, from what i have read the mains will be the same. though details are a bit sketchy. also curious as to whether or not will have a gas turbine engine. engineering details are also sketchy. keeping same mains makes sense., parts, logistics, etc.. snipes always last to know. 😉
No turbines in the OPC. Just two diesels, about the same size as the diesels in the NSC, so speed on diesels should be similar, 22+ knots sustained. There will also be a small electric motor on each gear box that is expected to allow it to loiter at up to 9 knots with the mains shut down. I would still like to know if there are two engine rooms–might have a main and a generator in each. That would improve survivability.
@ Andy, that is just an artist’s representation. I am sure it is supposed to be a Mk38 Mod3. I am hoping at least some will get the 30mm Mk38 Mod4.