The Rolls-Royce MT30 marine gas turbine has completed a major development milestone, receiving certification from a leading verification agency.
The gas turbine has received DNV (Det Norske Veritas) design approval, certifying the engine at 36MW to DNV's rules for classification of High Speed, Light Craft and Naval Surface Vessels.
ABS (American Bureau of Shipping) certification test running, which will satisfy all United
States Navy requirements, has also been started and will be completed in mid-2004.
The MT30 has been selected to power the Integrated Power System (IPS) Engineering Development Model (EDM) for the US Navy's DD(X) multimission destroyer programme. This order marks the company's entry into the US Navy large gas turbine market. MT30 is also included in the baseline design for the two proposed Royal Navy aircraft carriers and is being actively considered for the Franco-Italian FREMM frigate programme.
The gas turbine has 80 percent commonality with the Trent 800 aero engine, which has won a market-leading 44 percent of the Boeing 777 program, achieving more than five million flying hours since entering service in 1996.
Saul Lanyado, Rolls-Royce President - Marine, said: "This achievement marks another milestone in the highly-successful MT30 programme. Both naval and commercial shipping operators require increased speed, and the MT30 can respond to that challenge."
The MT30 is cost-effective and efficient compared to existing marine gas turbines operating over 25MW. It is available for service in either mechanical or electrical generator set applications for both commercial and naval marine markets. Offering improved power density and reliability, it is ideal for frigates, destroyers and aircraft carriers requiring high-powered propulsion. It is also ideal for cruise ships and fast ferries.
A single MT30 can replace two conventional boost turbines, saving space and reducing operating and ownership costs while giving propulsion system designers greater flexibility.
The MT30 is the eleventh engine type Rolls-Royce has derived from core aero engine technology. Its modular construction, a key element of all Rolls-Royce gas turbine technology, combines reliability with maintainability.