Wärtsilä won the contract to supply the waterjet propulsion system for two US Navy's Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Independence Class vessels with an option for an additional eight ship sets expected to be exercised later. The system employs Wärtsilä's axial waterjet technology matching the needs for fast vessel accelerations and high manoeuvrability. The vessels are being built by Austal USA in Mobile, labama. The orders currently on hand are for four WLD 1720SR and four WLD 1500SR Axial Waterjets to be supplied to the first two vessels. The first vessel is expected to be delivered in autumn 2012, and the second in spring 2013. The WLD series is a continuation of Wärtsilä's proven design approach for reliable waterjets with a minimum of moving parts…
