EoW May 2013

News Corporate

Take-off time for new cables in USS Gerald R Ford Prysmian Group has supplied

medium-voltage (15kV) and optical fibre cables for the new American aircraft carrier USS Gerald R Ford. The contract is said to be worth in excess of $10 million. Kevin P Hamilton, defence, specialities and OEM manager for Prysmian Group in North America, said: “We have developed a customised 15kV cable for use in this class of ship. “The US Navy had never previously used voltages of more than 5kV. This cable is a vital part of the new electrical system that has three times the capacity of other aircraft carriers. Without developing this cable, the increase in electrical capacity would not have been possible.” The additional electrical capability achieved with medium-voltage 15kV cable is needed to support the electro-magnetic aircraft launching system (EMALS) and other advanced technologies. All fixed-wing aircraft (non-helicopters) need assistance to reach take-off speed from the aircraft carrier’s deck. Previously, the catapults used were powered by steam.

▲ ▲ USS Gerald R Ford. Photo courtesy of Navytimes.com

cables used with this system. Hundreds of kilometres of fibre optic cables have been supplied for the carrier, which is over 1,092 feet long, accommodates 4,660 people and provides airport and storage for over 75 aircraft.

However, General Atomics has developed EMALS to use linear induction motors to more finely control aircraft acceleration off the deck. Prysmian has received the contract from General Atomics to develop and supply the cables needed to power the system and has supplied more than 85 per cent of the

Prysmian Group – Italy Website : www.prysmian.com

Global audience

Japanese thumbs up for wind turbine Evance’s 5kW wind turbine has completed all tests and has been awarded full certification in Japan. This certification is a formal recognition of the reliability, safety and overall

▲ ▲ A planetary strander for CTC from the German company

Since the 1970s Queins has supplied new and reconditioned machinery to the cable and rope industry, including huge production lines for special industries. The company offers a wide range of modern rigid, planetary, skip-type and tubular stranders, single or double twist bunchers/stranders, machines for the production of off-shore and umbilical cables, continuously transposed conductors (CTC) as well as disc- and belt-capstans, taping machines and all types of pay-offs and take-ups. Queins Machines GmbH – Germany Website : www.queins.com

performance of the Evance small wind turbine. The

Evance turbine is offered in Japan through Zephyr Corporation as the Zephyr9000.

28

www.read-eurowire.com

May 2013