Firms/Curtiss-Wright EMD/Alstom to create systems for ships
Wednesday, March 9, 2005
Two local companies are teaming up to create the power control and propulsion system for a new class of U.S. Navy destroyers, which officials said will be an economic boon to the region.
Curtiss-Wright EMD, with a plant in Harmar, and Alstom Power Conversion Inc, in RIDC Park, O'Hara, will be developing the integrated electric drive propulsion system for the DD(X) ship class.
"The steel industry in Pittsburgh, as everyone is well aware, has had hard times," said Shoun Kerbaugh, Alstom president and CEO. "In Western Pennsylvania, there is a tremendous ability of technical people, and we are converting that from the steel industry to electric propulsion."
Alstom could add 30 to 50 jobs during the course of the project, Kerbaugh said.
Terri Marts, vice president and general manager of Curtiss-Wright's Harmar plant, said this move reinforces the job security for the facility's 750 employees.
"We also get supplies from the area, so it expands the market opportunities for us," Marts said. "We rely on Western Pennsylvania suppliers, so those dollars stay in the region."
Marts declined to give a number of potential jobs created so early in the project, but said there is a significant potential for new jobs.
Additionally, the companies may subcontract the work locally, Alstom officials said.
The Navy has yet to determine how many ships are included in the contract, Kerbaugh said. However, the main contract is expected by April and construction could start in September, Kerbaugh said.
Marts said this could include five ships.
The integrated electric drive propulsion system is expected to allow warships to rapidly reconfigure power and reduce operating and support costs, as well as noise. It also could allow capacity for future combat system upgrades and greater flexibility in ship design.
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