A low magnetic signature motor system (1) comprises a plurality of
electric motors (2), a first shield (9) and a second shield (13). The
electric motors are arranged with their associated magnetic moments (6,
7) forming a closed loop such that their net external magnetic field (5)
is minimized The first shield comprises a material with a high electrical
conductivity and substantially surrounds the electric motors such that
the a.c. component of the magnetic field is reduced; and the second
shield comprises a material with a high magnetic permeability and
substantially surrounds the first shield such that the d.c. magnetic
field is reduced.