Waltham, Mass – QinetiQ North America (QNA) has been awarded a contract from General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB) to design, test and qualify a next generation Electronic Grounding Unit (EGU) for VIRGINIA Class submarines. The EGU is a submarine engineroom component of the VIRGINIA Class active shaft grounding (ASG) system. The submarine ASG system assists with reducing electromagnetic fields external to the hull and also contributes to reducing corrosion.
This is QinetiQ North America’s second contract with Electric Boat. The first contract was awarded in December 2017 for the design and development of a cradle lock ElectroMechanical Actuator Power Conditioner / Controller (EPCC) replacement for the VIRGINIA Class Block V Weapon Stowage and Handling System (WSHS).
“We are very excited to have been once again chosen by General Dynamics Electric Boat to design this critical piece of equipment to support the VIRGINIA Class submarine program. QNA has years of experience designing and delivering command and control, equipment, motor drives, and custom actuator equipment for the Navy. This effort aligns with QNA’s strategic goals of providing similar technologies and products to help modernize our surface and submarine fleet,” stated Andrew Courier, Vice President of Maritime Systems at QNA.
Design, development, and testing of the Electronic Grounding Unit will take place at QNA’s Waltham, MA facility.