The newest ship class to enter the U.S. Navy (USN) fleet is the DDG-993 KIDD Class guided missile destroyer. The lead ship of the Class, delivered March 1981, incorporates the main features of the DD 963 Class hull and main propulsion system designs. Originally ordered by the Imperial Iranian Navy (IIN), the ship design also incorporates unique features for protection from dust and sand. The ventilation ducting, deck machinery, and gas turbine combustion air all required modifications to protect against damage due to the expected Persian Gulf environment. This paper will outline the hardware changes considered necessary to meet the requirements for satisfactory IIN performance for the propulsion and electrical generator gas turbines.

This paper discusses the operational experiences of the gas turbine propelled guided missile frigate Oliver Hazard Perry (FFG-7 Class) Propulsion System Land Based Test Site (PSLBTS) built at the Naval Ship Engineering Center, Philadelphia Division of Philadelphia, Pa. This test site was constructed as part of the “fly-before-buy” concept now required by the Department of Defense for major systems acquisitions. The test site functionally duplicated the entire main propulsion system of the actual shipboard installation. It provided the first integration of the principal machinery equipment: the main propulsion gas turbines, reduction gear, controllable pitch propeller, and propulsion control system. Construction of the leadship was concurrent with the testing at the PSLBTS, thus requiring timely resolution to the many operational, installation and design problems uncovered during testing. These included the complete restructuring of the d-c power supply distribution in the control system, the evaluation of re-designed engine fuel controls for Bodie stall problems, the reduction of lateral vibration in the reduction gear input shafts, engine duct installation problems, and engine vibration monitoring circuitry problems. The incorporation of these solutions and others into the lead ship design demonstrated the benefits of shore testing.