GE Vernova Secures Contract For U.S. Navy's Advanced Propulsion Load System Testing

• GE Vernova to supply the Propulsion Load Systems (PLS) for testing the U.S. Navy’s next generation, advanced surface vessels
• The contract will support the testing of shipboard propulsion systems for the U.S. Navy’s FFG-62 Class frigates and the future DDG(X) navy vessels in a controlled land-based environment to mitigate risks and provide crew training
• Award builds on GE Vernova’s technical expertise in electrical power conversion, which includes complex load testing systems for naval applications

GE Vernova Inc. today announced that its Power Conversion business has secured a contract to develop and deliver a Propulsion Load System (PLS) for the U.S. Navy’s land-based testing facilities to support a new generation of advanced naval surface vessels. These systems are planned to be used to rigorously test the performance and reliability of shipboard propulsion systems in a controlled, land-based environment before deployment at sea.

Contract Overview
The scope of the contract, which was booked in the second quarter of 2024, includes the design, manufacturing, delivery, and installation of two independent PLS units at a U.S. Navy facility over a three-year period. The program and the facility, managed by the Naval Surface Warfare Center Philadelphia Division (NSWCPD), will serve as the primary site for testing and qualification of propulsion systems for a new generation of advanced naval vessels, such as the FFG-62 and DDG(X). By simulating real-world shipboard conditions, the PLS is designed to help reduce technical risks, streamline development timelines, and train future crews, providing a strategic advantage to the Navy.

The system is expected to incorporate a full suite of power conversion technologies, including propulsion load electric motors, E-houses, power electronic motor drives, switchboards, motor control centers, load banks, transformers, and related essential infrastructure.

“GE Vernova is proud to contribute to the U.S. Navy’s future naval capabilities by delivering innovative testing solutions that help lower the technology risk and prepare crews for the next generation of surface vessels,” said Ed Torres, Business Line Leader of GE Vernova’s Power Conversion Business. “This contract reflects our commitment to advancing naval technology through reliable, efficient propulsion load management systems.”

Technological Significance:
The contract further solidifies GE Vernova’s leadership in providing more energy-efficient electric propulsion technologies for complex naval applications. With over 40 U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard vessel references, decades of experience with land-based test facilities, and successful integration of similar systems in programs such as the Columbia Class and Zumwalt Class, GE Vernova continues to demonstrate its expertise in this field.