The U.S. Department of Defense recently named Philadelphia Gear Corporation as supplier of the main reduction gears in the construction of three new Arleigh Burke Class (DDG 113,114, and 115) Guided Missile Destroyers. The project is valued at more than $80 million and includes options for additional ships, which, if fully exercised, would bring the cumulative total of the agreement to more than $425 million.
According to Philadelphia Gear president Carl Rapp, the company has a storied past with the U.S. Navy, having supplied gears, sprockets and transmissions for ships since the First World War. During World War II, the company’s manufacturing expertise was used to build large scale ring gears used to rotate battleship gun turrets and worm gears for hydraulic systems on Navy Destroyers. The company’s role in defense has grown since that time, and Philadelphia Gear now specializes in the design and manufacture of Main Reduction Gears (MRGs) for many front line combat and support vessels.
Earlier this year, Philadelphia Gear announced plans to move its West Coast operations from Lynwood, Calif., to a renovated facility in Santa Fe Springs. The new 120,000-square-foot facility is slated to open in the third quarter of 2010 and will house more than 80 percent of the manufacturing work for the DDG program and all assembly and test activities.
“I’m very grateful for the confidence that the U.S. Navy has again shown in Philadelphia Gear,” said Rapp. “The Arleigh Burke Class Guided Missile Destroyers are essential in our nation’s maritime defense, and we are committed to delivering high-quality main reduction gears in time to meet the demanding requirements established by the U.S. Navy for these ships.”
“Philadelphia Gear continues to invest in our capabilities to ensure that we remain a strong industrial partner for both the shipbuilder and the Navy personnel who will operate these vessels on behalf of our country,” Rapp continued. “I’m particularly proud of the efforts of Philadelphia Gear people everywhere, many who have worked to support the Navy for decades and others who have been an essential part of this contract process. They represent the very best in a long and proud heritage of U.S. manufacturing excellence.”
