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Gas Turbine Engines News

16 Jun 2022

Updates, Developments and Advances in Combat and Patrol Craft

SBI completed an order last December for 52 Coastal Interceptor Vessels for U.S. Customs and Border Protection. (Photo: SAFE Boats)

My first visit in 2007 to the American Society of Naval Engineers’ (ASNE) Multi-Agency Craft Conference (MACC) was an eye-opener. Having built a naval architecture career with frigates, destroyers and other large naval and commercial ships, I was eager to learn of the smaller craft used by the U.S. Navy and other government and military bodies. As my flight into Norfolk, Va. descended over Chesapeake Bay, I gazed in amazement as a Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) raced toward Virginia Beach, slowed, glided up the beach and into its shore base.

17 Dec 2020

GE to Power the US Navy's Constellation-class Frigates

(Image: U.S. Navy)

GE Marine will provide gas turbine engines and associated equipment for the Navy’s Constellation-class frigates being designed and built by Fincantieri Marinette Marine in Wisconsin.“GE Marine brings a proven and reliable gas turbine that integrates perfectly in our combined diesel electric and gas turbine (CODLAG) propulsion system,” said Dario Deste, President and CEO of Fincantieri Marine Group. “Fincantieri has a decades-long relationship with GE, and we are proud to have these American-made gas engines on our U.S.

18 Mar 2019

Sanmar, CAT Work on Innovative Hybrid Tug

The first tug to be fitted with Caterpillar's Advanced Variable Drive, a hybrid system, is one of Sanmar’s popular and successful Bogaçay Series. It will be the 38th of this class to enter service, a class designed exclusively by RAL for Sanmar. Photo courtesy Sanmar.

Turkey’s leading tug builder Sanmar Shipyards was selected by Caterpillar Marine to build the first tug to incorporate its hydraulic hybrid propulsion system. Construction is currently under way with delivery scheduled for October 2019. Furthermore the two companies, from different continents, are joining together to present their collaborative efforts at the Tugnology 19 Conference and Exhibition, scheduled to be held in Liverpool, England, May 14-15, 2019.Tugs represent some of the more power dense and cost competitive vessels…

21 Feb 2019

Russia Struggles to Modernize its Navy

Yaroslav Mudry. Photo from kaliningrad.kp.ru

President Vladimir Putin calls improving the Russian navy's combat capabilities a priority.The unfinished husks of three guided-missile frigates that have languished for three years at a Baltic shipyard show that is easier said than done.Earmarked for Russia's Black Sea Fleet, the frigates fell victim to sanctions imposed by Ukraine in 2014 after Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula, prompting Kiev to ban the sale of the Ukrainian-made engines needed to propel them.With Moscow unable to quickly build replacement engines for the Admiral Grigorovich-class frigates, construction stopped.

19 Mar 2018

The US Government Must Fund Icebreakers Now

Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star cuts through Antarctic ice in the Ross Sea in January 2017 (U.S. Coast Guard photo by David Mosley)

Congress last funded the purchase of polar icebreakers for the U.S. Coast Guard in the early 1970s. The USCCG Polar Star (WAGB-10) was commissioned in 1976, followed by the USCGC Polar Sea (WAGB-11) in 1977. Polar Sea has been out of service since 2010 due to a major engine failure. Polar Star was ‘in commission, special’ status from 2008 through 2012 while undergoing a service life extension. It is currently the only active heavy polar icebreaker in the U.S. fleet. The less capable USCGC Healy (WAGB-20) is a medium icebreaker and is equipped to support research missions in polar waters.

12 Jan 2018

Indian Navy Decommissions INS Nirbhik, INS Nirghat

The Indian Naval Ships Nirbhik and Nirghat have been decommissioned at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai, after a glorious 30 and 28 years respectively in the service of the nation. The solemn ceremony involved traditional lowering of the ensign and commissioning pendants with playing of ‘Last Post’. The Chief Guest for the ceremony was Rear Admiral R B Pandit, Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet, who had commanded Nirghat earlier. Cdr V R Naphade, (Retd) and Commodore S Mampully, (Retd), the commissioning Commanding Officers of Nirbhik and Nirghat respectively were the Guests of Honour. These ships of Killer squadron are inheritors of a proud legacy as their original avatars were flag bearers of the naval offensive action on Karachi Harbour during Indo-Pak war in 1971.

03 Nov 2017

US Navy to Christen Delbert D Black Today

The Navy will christen the newest guided-missile destroyer, the future USS Delbert D. Black (DDG 119), Saturday, Nov. 4, during a 10 a.m. CST ceremony at Huntington Ingalls Industries Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi. The future USS Delbert D. Black is the first ship to bear the name of a master chief petty officer of the Navy (MCPON) and is named for the first person to hold that office. Black began his 30-year Navy career in the spring of 1941. After completing recruit training, he reported to his first assignment, USS Maryland (BB 46) in Pearl Harbor, where he witnessed the Japanese attack that drew the United States into World War II. Over the next 26 years, he rose through the ranks to Gunner's Mate Master Chief before his selection in 1967 to serve as the first MCPON.

19 Jun 2017

Air New Zealand Wins Deal to Service US Navy Engines

Air New Zealand said its Gas Turbines business unit has been awarded four contracts from the U.S. Navy worth up to $42 million to service its fleet’s gas turbine engines. The contracts will see the Auckland based Gas Turbines team carry out maintenance and overhaul work of the General Electric LM2500 gas turbines that power much of the U.S. Navy fleet for the next few years. Air New Zealand Chief Operations Officer Bruce Parton said the contracts are an important win for the airline, and the company participated in aa competitive bidding process to secure the work. Air New Zealand Gas Turbines is a business unit of Air New Zealand, providing gas turbine overhaul and repair services to clients across a range of industries.

07 Apr 2017

US Navy to Christen Guided-Missile Destroyer Paul Ignatius

The Navy will christen the newest guided-missile destroyer, the future USS Paul Ignatius (DDG 117), today (Saturday)  CDT ceremony at Huntington Ingalls Industries Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi. The future USS Paul Ignatius is named in honor of the Honorable Paul Ignatius, who served as assistant secretary of defense for installations and logistics and later as secretary of the navy between 1967 and 1969, both under President Lyndon B. Johnson. Ignatius had previously served as a commissioned lieutenant in the Navy during World War II. The future USS Paul Ignatius will be the first ship to bear his name. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson will serve as the principal speaker during the ceremony.

22 Feb 2017

Marine Jet Power Awarded Repeat Order for Korean Navy

Photo: MJP

Marine Jet Power has been awarded a repeat order to supply waterjets to another 3 units Patrol Killer Experimental (PKX-B) fast attack craft for the Korean Navy. Last year, South Korean shipbuilder Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction (HHIC) launched the first unit which is currently undergoing sea trials. The propulsion system comprises a MJP 950 single drive and MJP 650 double drive waterjet installation. Powered by General Electric's 12 000 hp LM 500 gas-turbine engines and Caterpillar Marine's 1 900 hp CAT C32 diesel engines in a combined diesel and gas turbine configuration…

29 Aug 2016

USS Freedom Suffers Casualty

USS Freedom (LCS 1) (Photo: U.S. Navy)

The U.S. Navy's first littoral combat ship USS Freedom (LCS 1) experienced a casualty to one of its main propulsion diesel engines (MPDE) on July 11 reportedly caused by a leak from the attached seawater pump mechanical seal that resulted in seawater entering the engine lube oil system, according to the Navy. The ship’s crew addressed the leak, enabling Freedom to return to homeport July 13 on her own power for repairs on a separate, unrelated issue. While in port, the crew performed seawater contamination procedures.

22 Aug 2016

Artificial Stupidity

The difference between the unmanned space missions and a similar maritime mission is fundamental. A space mission involves a large team of specialists working together for years. Assumptions are challenged and refined. Technology is pushed to the limit and beyond. Money is spent in truckloads. Tests are performed and analyzed. Triple and quadruple redundancies are built in. (the list goes on ...) Photo: NASA

There is increasing speculation regarding when the first unmanned cargo ship will set sail. The more important question is when will the first unmanned cargo ship spectacularly fail? We (not me personally, but humans as a group) have utilized artificial intelligence to launch unmanned craft into space on increasingly long and complex voyages. Mostly, these space missions succeed and provide us with wonderful images and reams of important data. Therefore, it is theoretically and practically possible to construct and operate an unmanned cargo ship.

02 Aug 2016

Engine Startup Aboard New Aussie Destroyer

Photo: AWD Alliance

The gas turbines aboard the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) new air warfare destroyer (AWD) Hobart have been commissioned. “This is a huge achievement for the project that everyone should be proud of,” said Michael Clements, Test and Activation (T&A) Manager. In preparation for the engines’ commissioning, a production team undertook the load-out of the gas turbine engines onto the ship, followed by integration, alignment, cable and pipe testing and flushing of the supporting systems.

08 Jul 2016

US Navy Ship Tests 100% Alternative Fuel

The ex-Paul F. Foster anchored off the southern coast of California. Paul F. Foster serves as the new Self Defense Test Ship for Naval Surface Warfare Center. (U.S. Navy photo by Timothy M. Black)

Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division's (NSWC PHD) Self Defense Test Ship (SDTS), ex-Paul F. Foster went underway for final-phase testing of two alternative fuels, May 31. The SDTS traveled to San Diego, where it took on approximately 30,000 gallons of two types of alternative fuels. The ship then proceeded on a normal cruise, demonstrating that the alternative fuels could function as a drop-in replacement, requiring no changes to equipment or operating procedures.

13 Apr 2016

Damaged US Warship Heads to San Diego for Repairs

USS Fort Worth (U.S. Navy photo by Joe Bishop)

The USS Fort Worth, a U.S. warship that suffered damage to its combining gears in Singapore in January, will travel to San Diego under its own power for extensive repairs at a General Dynamics Corp shipyard, the U.S. Navy said Wednesday. The new coastal warship, built by Lockheed Martin Corp , will use its gas turbine engines to travel to its homeport of San Diego this summer from Singapore, where it has been deployed since December 2014, the Navy's Pacific Fleet said in a statement. The trip is expected to take about six weeks.

01 Apr 2016

Navy to Christen Guided Missile Destroyer

The Navy will christen its newest Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, Ralph Johnson (DDG 114), Saturday, April 2, during a 10 a.m. CDT ceremony at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi. The ship will be christened by the ship sponsor, Georgeanne McRaven. The Honorable Sean Stackley, assistant secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition will deliver the principal address. "The christening of the future USS Ralph Johnson represents yet another example of how our Navy's partnership with the highly-skilled shipbuilders of our nation continues to help us grow our fleet," said Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus. The future Ralph Johnson is the 64th Arleigh Burke-class destroyer. The ship will commission in 2017 and will be homeported in Everett, Washington.

29 Jun 2015

HMS Queen Elizabeth Powers to Life

Philip Dunne powers up HMS Queen Elizabeth for the first time (Photo: Aircraft Carrier Alliance)

U.K. Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth has produced power from her onboard diesel generators (DGs) for the first time, marking a significant stage in the program. Firing up the diesel generators for the first time in Rosyth was Philip Dunne, Minister of State for Defense Procurement, who took part in a short ceremony and was accompanied by Rear Admiral Henry Parker representing the Ministry of Defense on the Aircraft Carrier Alliance (ACA), and Sir Peter Gershon, the Independent Chairman of the ACA.

19 Jun 2015

Competition, Quality and Demand Come Together

Silver Ships

Combat, Patrol and Law Enforcement Vessels Meet Multiple Missions with varied business plans. U.S. firms building patrol, combat and law enforcement craft are weathering government budget cuts by strengthening ties with clients and public agencies. These unique boats remain in demand because of terrorism, crime, wars, piracy and fire, and most serve multiple missions. As maritime nations beef up their defense capabilities, U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and Direct Commercial Sales (DCS) programs help builders do business overseas.

04 Feb 2014

World’s Fastest Ferry Using SharpEye Radar

Kelvin Hughes, a designer and supplier of navigation and surveillance systems, announced that its SharpEye radar is now in continuous use on the world’s fastest ferry, operating between Argentina and Uruguay. Launched in Oct 2013 by the President of Argentina, Christina Fernandez de Kirchner, and operated by Buquebus of Uruguay, the ferry, named Francisco after the Argentinian-born Pope Francis, carries up to 1024 passengers and crew together with 150 cars on a daily basis between Buenos Aires and Montevideo.

16 Jan 2014

Monico Promotes Dicken to Manager

Monico Inc. announced the promotion of Bill Dicken to Manager – Technical Support. Dicken will now be managing the day-to-day activities of the technical support department, which includes phone support, field service, and the completion of special configuration projects. Dicken brings 17 years of experience gained with Rolls Royce engines and 12 years of customer service in aviation gas turbine engines. He has, both at Rolls Royce and at Monico, provided technical, logistical and commercial support for high-profile customers while also maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction.

03 Jan 2014

U.S. Export Reform: New Year, New Rules

Early in the coming year, the U.S. export control regime governing the shipbuilding supply chain will undergo a sea change with the implementation of export reform in the naval and marine categories of the U.S. Munitions List (USML) and the Commerce Control List (CCL). Reforms affecting the aerospace industry(1)  were published April 16, 2013(2)  and took effect October 15 of this year, and the final rules published on July 8, 2013 for the naval and marine categories will take effect on January 6, 2014. As previously reported,(3)  one of the goals of the export reform initiative is to protect the nation’s “crown jewels” with higher export control walls while removing restrictions on less important items and technologies in order to promote, among other things, interoperability of U.S.

03 Jun 2013

Incat LNG Fast Ferry Begins Trials

Lopez Mena (Photo: Incat)

Incat's dual fuel fast ferry has commenced sea trials in Hobart Tasmania. The 99-meter vessel's twin LNG tanks were loaded with LNG for the first time last week. Testing of the gas system went underway with the GE LM2500 gas turbine engines being run on gas for the first time on May 27 at the wharf and at sea on May 30. The gas trials are scheduled to continue. Lopez Mena (Incat hull 069) was sea trialed with ballast for a 1,460-ton displacement trial comfortably exceeding 50 knots at full power and maintaining a steady 49 knots at 90% power while operating on marine distillate.

30 May 2013

Portable Oil Analysis Instruments

Testing oil with the Q1000 and the Q3000

The United States Naval Ship (USNS) Watson is one of the large, medium-speed, roll-on, roll-off (LMSR) ships that have significantly expanded the nation’s sealift capacity. The Watson has a considerable amount of machinery including main engines, generators and cranes that need oil tested on a regular basis to detect potential problems and eliminate the possibility of a catastrophic failure. The test kits used in the past were time-consuming and their accuracy was questionable. The (USNS) Watson is operated by Ocean Shipholdings, Inc. (OSI) under contract to Military Sealift Command.