Philadelphia Gear is Awarded Second Major Project for the U.S. Department of Defense
A LONG HISTORY OF SERVICING THE US NAVY'S AMPHIBIOUS SHIP PROGRAM PLAYS PIVOTAL ROLE IN THE DECISION
KING OF PRUSSIA, PA December 14, 2010 ---- Fresh off the heels of their single largest order in company history - an over $80 million project to support the US Navy's Arleigh Burke Class Guided Missile Destroyers - Philadelphia Gear has been selected to supply the main reduction gears (MRGs) for the US Navy's next San Antonio Class amphibious transport dock (LPD), the USS John W. Murtha (LPD 26). The San Antonio Class is the Navy's primary class of LPD and it will replace the older Austin Class ships.
As compared to the older ships, the San Antonio Class vessels have increased vehicle and cargo carrying capacity and are designed to be the most survivable amphibious ships ever put to sea. The design incorporates state-of-the-art self-defense capabilities, including: facilities for advanced command, control, communications, computer, and intelligence (C4I) systems; and reduced radar cross-section technologies. Several decades of battle-tested engineering has made these some of the most technologically advanced ships in the world. So when it came time for choosing a supplier for their main reduction gearing, it became critical for the Navy and Northrop Grumman to select a company that could produce products that could match or exceed the reliability and performance specified in the new ship design.
With 118 years of manufacturing experience in providing gearing solutions for energy and infrastructure applications, as well as frontline support for the US Navy since the First World War, Philadelphia Gear was their top choice. This is the tenth main reduction gear order for PGC for the San Antonio Class program. The new MRG shipset (port and starboard units) will be assembled at Philadelphia Gear's Western Regional Service Center (RSC) in Lynwood, California as the final project planned at that facility. All functions of the Lynwood facility are being transferred to the Western RSC's new home in Santa Fe Springs, California. Delivery of the LPD 26 MRGs is scheduled for the first quarter of 2011.
"We are grateful for the confidence the US Navy has shown in us throughout the years," said Carl Rapp, president of Philadelphia Gear. "We are determined to continue to be at the forefront of providing mission-critical solutions for our nation's defense, and in support of this, we have made a sizable investment in our new facility in Santa Fe Springs which opened last week."
In early 2011, PGC expects to take delivery of two new gear grinding machines - 4 meter and 1.6 meter Höfler grinders - which will be used at the Santa Fe Springs facility to finish rough gears, manufacture new gear sets from blank stock material, and to service repairs on existing gearbox components for both military marine and aftermarket operations. Due to the improved computer controls and sensors in the new equipment, the upgraded machines will provide better control and a higher degree of machining accuracy than the units they are replacing, and they will be able to handle larger diameter gears, further improving the capabilities of the new service center.
For more information, call 1-800-766-5120, fax 610-337-5637, or visit online at www.philagear.com.
