Before a ship can move under its own power, every part of its propulsion system has to work together.
Shipbuilders recently reached that milestone aboard George M. Neal (DDG 131) by completing waterborne alignment, ensuring the propulsion shafting is properly aligned after the ship entered the water.
The milestone brought Machinery and Alignment teams together to make precise adjustments to the shafting system, verifying the alignment from the reduction gears in the main machinery rooms to the propellers at the stern.
"Once the ship is waterborne, the hull settles differently than it does in dry dock," said Robert Thompson, General Foreman, Outside Machinery. "This alignment lets us account for those changes so the shafts, bearings and gears all work together exactly as designed. It's one of the most important steps in preparing the propulsion plant for operation."
WHY IT MATTERS
The propulsion shafts carry power from the ship's engines to its propellers. During waterborne alignment, shipbuilders rotate the shafts, take precise measurements and make small adjustments until every component is within tolerance.
Those measurements matter. Even slight misalignment can create vibration, increase wear on equipment and reduce the efficiency of the propulsion system over time.
"This is what actually makes the ship go," Robert explained. "Everything from the reduction gear to the propeller has to be perfectly aligned so the system performs the way it was designed."
PRECISION BEHIND THE SCENES
Outside Machinist Tristan Nettles has been an Ingalls shipbuilder for two years, but he already understands the responsibility that comes with the job.
“The measurements have to be right because this ship is going to carry servicemembers one day,” he said. “I may not wear the uniform, but building these ships is how I serve my country. That's something I'm proud to be part of."
While the work happens deep inside the ship, its impact will be felt every time DDG 131 gets underway.
"This milestone is one most people will never see, but it's fundamental to the performance and reliability of the ship," said Chad Barlow, DDG 131 Ship Program Manager. "It takes skilled shipbuilders working together with incredible precision, and no team does that better than the shipbuilders out here."
ABOUT THE SHIP
DDG 131 is a Flight III Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer named in honor of Medal of Honor recipient Chief Aviation Machinist's Mate George M. Neal. The ship will provide advanced air and missile defense capabilities for the U.S. Navy with the AN/SPY-6(V)1 Air and Missile Defense Radar and will support missions around the world for decades to come.