KTK Thermal Technologies is proud to announce they will be supplying two cold plates per boat on the Columbia-Class submarine through an awarded contract from Northrop Grumman Corp. The cold plates are the largest in size KTK has ever produced with one being over nine feet in length. The cold plates will be manufactured in the USA at the KTK facility in NY.
The Columbia-Class is the replacement for the Ohio-Class submarine. General Dynamics’ Electric Boat division is designing the submarine with the help of Newport News Shipbuilding. Twelve submarines are planned with the first lead boat construction to begin in 2021. In 2014, Northrop Grumman was chosen as the prime designer and manufacturer of the turbine generator units. Turbine generators convert mechanical energy from the steam turbines into electrical energy. The electrical energy is then used for powering onboard systems as well as for propulsion via an electric motor. As a result, the Columbia-Class submarines will be able to serve a greater number of deployments than boats they are replacing and not need a mid-life refueling in order to complete the 42 years of service—a major cost savings.
Read More about the Columbia-Class ballistic missile submarines here.