Prysmian Group secures over $2M in contracts for new aircraft carrier
Prysmian Group awarded contracts for new
aircraft carrier USS JOHN F. KENNEDY
Contracts awarded from Seacoast Electric in excess of $2M
Lexington, S.C. – Prysmian Group, world leader in the energy and telecom cables and systems industry, has been awarded contracts for the procurement phase of the new aircraft carrier USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CVN-79).
Prysmian Group will also supply fiber optic cables to meet a military performance specification known as MIL-PRF-85045. These fiber optic cables are fully water-blocked to prevent water from migrating through the cable into other parts of the vessel. They use radiation-hardened optical fiber and have cross-linked polyolefin jackets for increased durability. Prysmian Group will supply hundreds of kilometers of fiber optic cables for the new vessel to improve the data networks and automation systems onboard.
Kevin P. Sullivan, manager for the defense market at the North Dighton, Mass., facility for Prysmian Group, North America, commented, “EMALS (Electro Magnetic Aircraft Launching System) is a vital component of the ship’s offensive and defensive power projection. We are honored to be partnered with our customer, Seacoast Electric, in supplying the shipbuilders with the highest quality products and impeccable service. We have had a long standing and mutually beneficial relationship with our defense customers and are committed to supporting the military industrial complex.”
The ship’s additional electrical capability is achieved with medium voltage 15 kilovolt (ML 15 KL) cable, which is needed to support the electromagnetic aircraft launch system as well as other advanced technology. All fixed-wing aircraft need assistance in getting up to speed for take-off from the aircraft carrier’s deck. Previously, the catapults used were powered by steam. The new system uses linear induction motors to more finely control aircraft acceleration off the deck.
The USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CVN-79) is the second carrier in the Ford-class. The Ford-class is designed to reduce required maintenance by 30 percent over the previous class of carriers. Each ship in the new class is projected to save the Navy approximately $4 billion in operational costs over its 50-year life span. The new Ford Class is also designed to generate 25 percent more flight missions per day on its 5-acre flight deck while servicing and maintaining a compliment of 80 aircraft. Weighing approximately 100,000 tons and over 1100 feet long, the ship will accommodate approximately 4700 sailors, all while capable of reaching speeds in excess of 35 knots. The ship’s keel was laid in August 2015, with a scheduled launch in 2018, set to be commissioned in 2020.
About Prysmian Group
Prysmian Group, world leader in the energy and telecom cables and systems industry with global headquarters in Milan, Italy, and North America headquarters in Lexington, S.C., is strongly positioned in high-tech markets and offer a wide range of products, services and technologies. They operate in the business of underground and submarine cables and systems for power transmission and distribution, special cables for applications in numerous industries, and in medium and low voltage cables for the construction and infrastructure sectors. For the telecommunications industry, Prysmian Group manufactures cables and accessories for voice, video, and data transmission, offering a comprehensive range of optical fiber, optical and copper cables, and connectivity systems. Prysmian Group is a public company, listed on the Italian Stock Exchange in the FTSE MIB index. For sales inquiries, contact energy.cables.na@prysmian.com. For more information, visit http://na.prysmiangroup.com.
QUICK FACTS
• Prysmian Group has been awarded contracts for the aircraft carrier USS JOHN F. KENNEDY.
• Contracts awarded are in excess of $2 million.
• Prysmian Group is the world leader in energy and telecommunications and systems with two
brands, Prysmian and Draka
• Those looking to join the Prysmian Group team should visit the company’s career page online.
