Technology Development for Steering and Stabilisers

As part of the all electric ship concept the MoD Defence Procurement Agency Future Business Group´s Marine Engineering Development Program (MEDP) has been investigating the electrical actuation of hydrodynamic control surfaces (ELAHCS) for the Royal Navy. The project is presently examining the replacement of traditional hydraulic actuation systems for fixed fin ship stabilisers, steering gear and hydroplane actuation with novel electric actuation methods. As part of this programme the project has developed a technical demonstrator - a fixed fin stabiliser actuator - that was fitted to both stabilisers on an operational Type 23 Frigate as part of a system demonstrator programme (SDP). This demostrator is providing system performance and environmental data and contributing to the wider understanding of hydrodynamic control surface requirements. It is also illustrating the potential benefits of this technology which are reduced life cycle costs; simpler installation and maintenance; improved survivability, cleaner systems, elimination of high energy fluidic systems and hence the associated support and training and hazards. Studies have been undertaken in parallel with the SDP that have investigated similar technologies for hydrodynamic control surface actuation that could yield benefits in the future, but are not as yet sufficiently mature to be demonstrated. Additional applications include stabilisers for the MARS vessel concept, steering gear actuators for aircraft carrier size vessels and the unique requirement for submarine applications. This paper describes the development of the ELAHCS Programme, the progress of the SDP to date and additional future exploitation of this technology for ship and submarine applications