Navy seeks industry input on ship power and energy systems as it prepares to update tech development roadmap

The Navy is seeking industry input on the future of shipboard power and energy as the service looks to update its Naval Power and Energy Systems Technology Development Roadmap, according to a request for information published today.

According to the notice, the Navy is updating the NPES TDR -- a 2019 guidance document that provides a strategy to meet future sensor and weapon system power requirements -- to better prepare for new technologies likely to emerge in the next five to 10 years.

Through the RFI, the Navy requests an update on industry trends and a prediction of technology advancements “that will make NPES more agile to accommodate future loads, and improve our ability to operate, maintain and provide logistics support,” the notice states.

These shipboard power systems supply the energy needed to operate a ship’s weapons, sensors, combat systems and other equipment.

The Navy is interested in “benchmarking emerging (five to 10 years) and/or breakthrough technologies in the research and development pipeline that could benefit P&E systems and align our investment strategies to prepare the introduction of these enhancements to the fleet,” the RFI continues.

The notice requests information on specific technology areas including propulsion motors; prime movers; power generation, distribution and conversion; electric plant controls; energy storage systems; thermal management; integration and systems engineering; modeling, simulation and digital twins; as well as reliability, maintainability and availability.

The updated NPES TDR will be aligned with various other Defense Department strategic guidance documents, the RFI adds, including the National Defense Strategy (NDS), the Navy’s Navigation Plan (NAVPLAN) and the Navy secretary’s strategic guidance -- which all look to build a hybrid fleet of manned and unmanned platforms.

Responses to the solicitation are requested by Aug. 19.