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DRS Technologies Inc., a Finmeccanica Company, has announced that it will be providing electric power support for the U.S. Navy's DDG 51 class ships by designing and building Energy Storage Modules (ESMs) that will function as a ship-wide uninterruptable power supply.

The initial $17 million contract was awarded by the U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command to DRS's Power and Control Technologies business, a leader in developing and manufacturing products and systems that generate, distribute, convert and control electric power for naval and marine platforms. The contract will include design, engineering and associated support for the energy storage system and includes options which, if exercised, would bring its total value to more than $88 million.

"We are very excited to have this opportunity to develop this large energy storage system for the U.S. Navy," said Roger Sexauer, President of the DRS Maritime and Combat Support Systems Group. "This ESM system is a great initiative by the Navy which should offer tremendous fuel savings for naval surface combatants. We are happy to participate as the Navy's partner in this important development effort."

DRS will design, manufacture and qualify the ESM systems which will allow the ship's electric plant to run on one versus two gas turbine generators under certain conditions to conserve fuel while maintaining vital power in the event of a generator failure. The Navy plans to retrofit this system on the existing flight I and II DDG 51 class ships.

"The ESM system is yet another example of DRS' focus on supporting continuity of power for the Navy's ships," DRS Technologies said in a statement.

DRS Power & Control Technologies, Inc. has installed equipment on every U.S. Navy combatant ship since World War II, including nuclear-powered and conventionally-powered ships and submarines.