Navy Awards RCT Systems $18.3 Million for Shipboard Power Research

The U.S. Navy has awarded RCT Systems Inc. an $18.29 million contract modification to continue research and development work focused on shipboard electric power and energy systems.

The Baltimore-based company will support efforts aimed at improving current and future Navy power systems, a key area as modern warships demand more electricity for sensors, weapons, computing systems, and advanced onboard technologies.

Contract Builds on an Existing Navy Award

The new award is a cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to a contract the Navy had previously issued under N00024-21-C-4109.

Rather than starting a new contract, the Navy is expanding or continuing work already underway with RCT Systems.

The modification is valued at $18,291,139 and is tied specifically to research and development activities. The focus is on advancing and improving electric power and energy systems that can be used aboard Navy ships now and in the future.

Work Will Be Spread Across Four States

Most of the work will take place in Baltimore, Maryland, which accounts for 68% of the effort. Other work will be performed in Fayetteville, Arkansas, making up 19%; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, at 10%; and Tallahassee, Florida, at 3%.

The Navy expects the work to be completed by March 2028, giving the company roughly two years to carry out the next phase of the research and development effort.

Navy Funding Will Support the Project

The contract will use fiscal 2026 research, development, test and evaluation funds from the Navy. At the time of award, $7,712,000 will be obligated.

According to the contract notice, those funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. That gives the Navy and contractor more flexibility in carrying out the work over the planned performance period.

NAVSEA Is Managing the Contract

The contracting activity is the Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington, D.C. NAVSEA is responsible for many of the Navy’s shipbuilding, ship maintenance, combat systems, and maritime engineering programs.

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Its involvement points to the operational importance of shipboard power systems as the Navy prepares for future platforms and upgrades to existing vessels.

Why Shipboard Electric Power Matters

Electric power has become one of the most important parts of modern naval capability.

Today’s ships need reliable energy for radar systems, communications, electronic warfare, propulsion support, combat systems, and future high-demand technologies.

As the Navy looks ahead to more advanced weapons, directed-energy systems, unmanned integration, and higher computing loads, shipboard energy management becomes even more critical.

Contracts like this are part of the effort to make sure future ships can generate, store, distribute, and manage power effectively.

Impact and Consequences

The immediate impact of this award is that RCT Systems will continue work on technologies that could influence how Navy ships handle electric power in coming years.

Better shipboard energy systems can improve reliability, reduce operational limitations, and help vessels support more demanding mission systems.

The broader consequence is strategic. As naval warfare becomes more technology-heavy, ships with stronger and more flexible power systems may have a major advantage.

If the research leads to practical improvements, it could support future fleet modernization and help existing ships adapt to new capabilities without requiring complete redesigns.

What’s next?

RCT Systems will now continue the research and development work across its listed project locations, with completion expected by March 2028.

The Navy will likely monitor whether the work produces usable improvements for current and future shipboard electric systems.

Depending on results, the research could feed into later testing, integration, or future acquisition efforts tied to Navy ship power modernization.

Summary

The Navy has awarded RCT Systems Inc. an $18.29 million contract modification for research and development work on shipboard electric power and energy systems.

The project will be carried out mainly in Baltimore, with additional work in Arkansas, Alabama, and Florida, and is expected to run through March 2028.

The effort reflects the Navy’s growing focus on stronger, more adaptable power systems for modern and future warships.

Bulleted Takeaways:

• RCT Systems Inc. received an $18,291,139 Navy contract modification.
• The company is based in Baltimore, Maryland.
• The award is a cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to a previously issued contract.
• The work focuses on research and development for shipboard electric power and energy systems.
• The goal is to advance and improve systems for current and future Navy ships.
• Work will be performed in Baltimore, Maryland; Fayetteville, Arkansas; Tuscaloosa, Alabama; and Tallahassee, Florida.
• Baltimore will handle the largest share of the work at 68%.
• The project is expected to be completed by March 2028.
• The Navy will obligate $7,712,000 in fiscal 2026 RDT&E funds at the time of award.
• The funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.
• Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.