Integrated external electric drive propulsion module arrangement for surface ships

An external propulsion module arrangement for a surface ship comprising:

• a housing adapted to be mounted beneath the stern of a ship having a forward end adapted to abut the stern of a ship and an outer surface contour at the forward end conforming to the adjacent contour of the stem of the ship;
• at least one propulsion unit removably mounted in the housing having an intake duct, a rotating blade section following the intake duct, and a stationary blade section following the rotating blade section;
• an array of intake openings extending around the outer surface of the housing and connected to the intake duct and arranged to draw the ship's hull boundary layer into the intake duct;
• and
• electric drive means for driving the rotating blade section about a substantially horizontal axis to propel water from the inlet rearwardly through an outlet in a horizontal direction to propel the ship forwardly.