WASHINGTON - Repeated failures in the propulsion train on the Freedom-class littoral combat ships Little Rock and Detroit have raised concern by Naval Sea Systems Command that there may be a class-wide design flaw, which be a very expensive rework of a crucial component on 17 of the small surface combatants – in the fleet, under construction or contract. The investigated centers on the design of the Freedom class’ combining gear that propels the ship through the water with water jets. The combining gear issues are linked to the “high speed clutch bearings failing prematurely,” according to a statement from NAVSEA. “A joint Navy and Lockheed Martin team with RENK AG, the original equipment manufacturer, are conducting a root cause analysis of this defect.” Fleet ships are limiting the use of its combining gear. The defect appears to be a design issue that will need to be addressed across the Freedom class - designed by Lockheed Martin and built at Fincantieri’s Marinette (Wis.) Marine, which has won the Navy’s next-generation frigate (FFG-X) competition. The Independence class LCS littoral combat ship is built at Austal USA in Mobile, Ala., which has a different propulsion train from the Freedom class and thus would not be affected by this issue. (Source: Defense News 12/15/20) Gulf Coast Note: Triton bought 76% of RENK AG in June. RENK’s website says the company is a leader in the design and manufacture of advanced reduction gear systems for combined propulsion systems supplied to the Navy's Freedom-Class and Independence-Class Littoral Combat Ships and the Coast Guard's National Security Cutter (built at HII-Pascagoula). RENK AG was named the "2014 Littoral Ship Program Supplier of the Year" by the Lockheed Martin in recognition of its “successful and productive relationship with the ship-design and contract-management company.” https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2020/12/15/the-us-navy-is-investigating-a-potential-lcs-class-wide-design-flaw/
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