FMD’s new high-speed motor is being tested for that of the US Navy

Fairbanks Morse Defense (FMD) announced that it has received a contract to provide and test an nForcer high-speed motor to qualify for the Navy’s Large Unmanned Surface Ship (LUSV) platform. To qualify, the engine must run a minimum of 720 hours in a land-based test environment without human intervention. Testing will begin in the third quarter of 2023.

“The LUSV platform has unprecedented power and propulsion requirements, meaning the Navy needs a power-dense engine with a reliable track record,” said George Whittier, CEO of FMD. “Although the nForcer is the most powerful high-speed engine on the market, this award will drive incremental design improvements to support advanced unmanned operations in a marine environment. It is an exceptional example of the numerous technological solutions that FMD offers, tailored to the specific needs of the LUSV program.”

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2021 requires a 720-hour critical systems demonstration for the LUSV platform. The engine’s low lube oil consumption, which supports 90-day unmanned service intervals, allows the engine to run longer.

FMD, a portfolio company of Arcline Investment Management, started the nForcer, FMD’s first high-speed motor, earlier this year. It will be available with 12, 16 or 20 cylinders and will include a 175mm bore for mechanical or electric propulsion for onboard power generation. The engine operates at 1,800 – 2,000 rpm and has a power rating of 1,740 – 4,400 kW, making it one of the most powerful high-speed engines for marine use.

FMD anticipates that the nForcer engine will be ready for integration into US naval platforms within the next two years.