Roadmap to an Electric Naval Force

Abstract : NRAC was tasked to assess the increasing electrification of the traditionally mechanical US Navy. Specifically, the Panel was asked to study recent trends and developments; recommend a power system architecture; and, recommend a science and technology roadmap for development of an integrated electric naval force. The Panel reviewed commercial electrical marine applications worldwide and the various naval electric propulsion, auxiliary, sensor, and weapons programs in the US and UK from both a historical and current prospective. They found that there is an evolving industrial base for electric ships and that the DD(X), LHD8, CVNX and the VIRGINIA SSN provide a naval electric ship baseline. To realize the full potential of electrification, the Panel determined the Navy needed to develop an Electric Warship with a common electric power system that would allow all the power in a ship to be available for propulsion, sensors or weapons as needed. The development of the Electric Warship will then allow evolution to the Electric Naval Force where power is available to off-board units. In order to achieve the warfighting superiority of the Electric Naval Force, the DoN should establish central responsibility to develop and manage balanced (weapons, sensors, and propulsion) technology investment strategy.