British marine technology manufacturer RAD Propulsion has introduced the RAD 120, a 120 kW continuous power electric drive engineered for high-thrust commercial, defence, and leisure vessel applications.
Building on the foundation of the company’s RAD 40 system, the new drive operates within a 350–450V architecture, matching motor speeds up to 5,000 RPM with propeller speeds of approximately 3,000 RPM. Designed to meet increasing performance demands in the zero-emission marine sector, the 175 kg unit accommodates large blade area propellers up to 17 inches in diameter, with plans to offer five to ten standard propeller options in bronze or stainless steel across three-, four-, and five-bladed designs in both left- and right-handed variants.
Dan Hook, CEO of RAD Propulsion, commented, “The launch of the RAD 120 marks a new era for RAD Propulsion. We’ve listened carefully to feedback from the marine industry and identified a clear need for scalable electric propulsion that doesn’t compromise on performance. The RAD 120 delivers the power, thrust and operational flexibility that commercial operators and boat builders have been asking for, while maintaining the installation simplicity and reliability that define our RAD 40 system. This is electric propulsion that’s ready for the real-world demands of today’s marine sector.
“The system’s modular battery architecture allows range, performance, and weight distribution to be tailored to each vessel type—providing a practical, future-ready solution for both refit and new-build projects.”
To simplify vessel integration and eliminate the need for external steering mechanisms, the plug-and-play complete drive system features built-in 180-degree steering capability, offering 90 degrees to port and starboard. Available in long and extra-long shaft length configurations, the drive utilizes the fly-by-wire RADBus control architecture and comes autonomy ready with dedicated interface support.
Battery integration is modular, accepting any suitable battery configuration with a minimum recommended capacity of 61 kWh and a preferred capacity of at least 122 kWh. Multiple batteries can be linked to deliver up to 244 kWh total capacity, and generator or range extender interfaces are available for hybrid setups.
Engineered to ensure reliable operation across diverse marine environments, the system functions in ambient operating temperatures ranging from -20°C to +80°C and seawater temperatures from 0°C to +35°C. Vessel trials for the RAD 120 are scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2026 at RAD Propulsion’s UK facilities.
