Hybrid Electric Design Enters Navy Service: A Report on the Early Service Experience From LHD 8 -USS Makin Island

Abstract

The LHD 8 amphibious assault ship utilizes a hybrid propulsion plant, where the ship has the capability to be propelled by electric propulsion motors or gas turbine engines all of which is controlled and monitored by a state-of-the-art Machinery Control System (MCS). Unlike the previous ships of the class which were steam powered, the hybrid drive is designed to allow economical low speed fuel efficiency on electric motors as well as a traditional gas turbine power plant for all other mission areas. This will yield significant fuel savings over the life of the ship. The integrated machinery control system is likewise expected to reduce life cycle costs through reduced manning. After a successful series of sea trials, the LHD 8, Makin Island was delivered to the US Navy on April 2009 and departed the builders’ yard in July 2009 for a transit around the tip of South America to her homeport of San Diego, CA. The paper discusses the results of Builders and Acceptance Trials as well as the in-service experience of the ship on her maiden voyage. Examples are given of predicted vs. expected fuel consumption rates, design issues encountered and corrective measures taken as well as feedback from operators on the overall machinery plant design the MCS and its ease of operation. Included in the paper are ship drawings, photos and diagrams.