BIW Workers Replace Stealthy Destroyer's 15-Ton Turbine

BATH, Maine - Maine shipbuilder Bath Iron Works has replaced one of the massive turbines on the future USS Michael Monsoor, and the ship is scheduled to depart for San Diego in November.Shipyard President Dirk Lesko says turbine blades were damaged before the Rolls Royce unit was installed in Maine. He says shipbuilders noticed an unusual vibration during sea trials, and the Navy decided to replace rather than repair the turbine.
 
A special rail system had to be created to help remove the 15-ton turbine.
 
Lesko says "twists and turns'' had to be executed carefully.
 
The stealthy destroyer uses two main turbines similar to ones used on Boeing 777 jetliners to produce electricity that powers the ship and its sophisticated systems. It's due to be commissioned into service in January.