On 24 October,the USS Makin Island(LHD 8),an amphibious assault ship,will be commissioned at her homeport,San Diego.The Makin Island is characterized by operational upgrades and environmentally-conscious features.The ship will run on 28,000 dollars less worth of fuel than previous LHDs.She has a gas turbine electric propulsion system which is the equivalent of a hybrid car engine.Above a speed of 12 knots,she will run on gas;below 12 knots,she will run on electricity.There are no boilers or steam systems.Everything is electric,which is safer and improves operational readiness.The gas turbine engine can reach full power in five minutes;a steam plant takes up to a day to do that.
On the Makin Island,there is no steam-to-water process.Instead,water is chlorinated with salt.She has the most advanced machinery control system.The engineering plant is pretty much completely automated.She is truly a leaner and greener warship.
The commanding officer,Captain Robert Kopas,says that,by using these efficient,environmentally-conscious systems,it's not only going to help our nation,but the world as a whole.Northrop Grumman built the new warship.
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