GE Marine reports that its LM2500 gas turbines will be used to power the United States Navy’s next Littoral Combat Ship (LCS 4). GE will supply the two LM2500 gas turbine modules to Austal USA, Mobile, Alabama.
Austal USA is a subcontractor to Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine, a General Dynamics company and the prime contractor for the General Dynamics LCS program.
“The Independence (LCS 2) -- also built by Austal USA/Bath Iron Works -- features two GE LM2500 gas turbines. The keel for this vessel was laid on January 19, 2006,” said Brien Bolsinger, GE Marine general manager.
The General Dynamics trimaran LCS is an agile surface combatant that can be deployed independently to overseas littoral regions, can remain on station for extended periods of time either with a battle group or through a forward-basing arrangement, and is capable of underway replenishment.
Austal USA is the sea frame designer and builder in the General Dynamics team. Austal’s unique trimaran hull platform features two LM2500 gas turbines and two diesel engines configured into a combined diesel and gas turbine arrangement, with four steerable waterjets and one steerable thruster. The LCS has a 127.2-meter length, 30.4-meter beam, 4.5-meter draft and a sprint speed of 40+ knots.
The LM2500 gas turbines will each be rated at 29,500 shaft hp at U.S. Navy standard day conditions (100oF). The gas turbines will be manufactured at GE’s Evendale, Ohio facility, and will be delivered to Austal USA in September 2007.