Gas Turbine System News

GE’s Marine Solutions said its LM2500 family of aeroderivative marine gas turbines have been selected to power two newbuild surface combatants for U.S. Navy and Coast Guard programs. Specifically, two LM2500+ gas turbines will power Bougainville (LHA 8), the U.S. Navy’s newest multi-purpose amphibious assault ship. Construction is expected to begin shortly according to shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls Industries. GE LM2500+ gas turbines also power first-in-class USS America (LHA 6) and Tripoli (LHA 7).

Amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) has returned to sea March 21 following a 10-month post-shakedown availability maintenance period during which the crew and contractors made improvements to the ship's design. USS America is now conducting sea trials off the coast of Southern California to test the ship's systems and sea-worthiness. The Navy said crews faced several potential challenges when getting underway after the long maintenance period such as a successful start-up of the ship's engines, a safe sea and anchor detail, and efficient restricted maneuvering evolution.

The U.S. Navy reported that its Norfolk Ship Support Activity (NSSA) welcomed the Mexican Navy Delegation to Building CEP-200, Naval Station Norfolk, Aug. 21 for a visit to demonstrate how one of the Navy's Regional Maintenance Centers (RMC) operates. NSSA Production Officer Capt. James S. Talbert briefed the delegation on NSSA's RMC shop capabilities and its organizational structure. "We just wanted to show them a snapshot of how our organization runs," Talbert said. The delegation toured several production shops including air conditioning and repair…

Rolls-Royce won a contract to design the gas turbine system for the U.K. Royal Navy’s future Type 26 Global Combat Ship, which will, subject to contract, feature the marine gas turbine Rolls-Royce MT30. Rolls-Royce will work with prime contractor BAE Systems and Tognum, Rolls-Royce’s collaboration with Daimler, to design the propulsion system. This system will combine the Rolls-Royce MT30 gas turbine with four of Tognum’s MTU high-speed diesel generator sets. The MT30 is derived from Rolls-Royce aero engine technology. It produces  36-40 MW.

Rolls-Royce has been awarded a contract to design the gas turbine system for the U.K. Royal Navy’s future Type 26 Global Combat Ship, which will, subject to contract, feature the marine gas turbine Rolls-Royce MT30. Rolls-Royce will work with prime contractor BAE Systems and Tognum, Rolls-Royce’s collaboration with Daimler, to design the advanced propulsion system. This system will combine the Rolls-Royce MT30 gas turbine with four of Tognum’s MTU high-speed diesel generator sets.

GE Marine reports that the first LM2500+G4 aeroderivative marine gas turbine module has been delivered by Avio to DCNS’ shipyard in . The engine will be the basis for the COmbined Diesel eLectric And Gas turbine (CODLAG) propulsion system that will power the French Navy’s first European Multi-Mission Frigates (FREMM) ship. Avio, , is a GE Marine Systems Supplier, as well as the prime contractor for the FREMM gas turbine system. The French and Italian Navies are jointly developing the FREMM program, and combined, the navies are slated to build a total of 27 next-generation frigates.

GE Marine will supply Avio, Torino, Italy, with a third GE LM2500+G4 aeroderivative gas turbine for the European Multi-Mission Frigates (FREMM) program. The engine will be the basis for the COmbined Diesel And Gas turbine (CODAG) propulsion module that will power the French Navy’s second FREMM ship. The French and Italian Navies are jointly developing the FREMM program, and combined, the navies are slated to build a total of 27 next-generation frigates. GE has already contracted with Avio to supply two LM2500+G4 gas turbines for the initial two FREMM vessels.

Radiance of the Seas, the first of the Radiance-class of ships, was delivered to Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines (RCCL) on March 9. The 962 ft. (293.2 m), 90,090-ton vessel departed on March 11 from Amsterdam, en route to the Port of Miami, arrivng on March 21. The 2,100-guest Radiance of the Seas is designed to sail world itineraries to Alaska, Hawaii, the Panama Canal, Pacific Northwest and the Caribbean. In addition to its slim, yacht like design with many glazed fronts, the ship is driven by an azipod propulsion system, and powered by smokeless, vibration-free GE gas turbine engines. Built according to DNV Classification standards, Radiance was designed in close cooperation with its owners and optimized via computer calculations and model tests.

Celebrity Cruise Lines experienced its own "Night At The Oscars" by literally rolling out the red carpet this past June for its inaugural christening ceremony of its new "Millennium" while docked in Southampton, U.K. MR/EN was invited to Southampton to spend a few days onboard this technologically driven vessel before it departed for Amsterdam to begin its maiden voyage - a 14-day journey around Russia and the Baltics. Incorporating old-world style and classic ambiance with its Olympic Restaurant, which houses the original paneling from the R.M.S. Olympic — and delving into new technology by implementing a premiere gas turbine system in its engine room — Celebrity's newest vessel truly exemplifies a "bridge between two centuries…

GE Transportation’s marine gas turbine operations will supply Samsung Techwin Co. Ltd., Seoul, Korea with 12 LM2500 aeroderivative gas turbines. The Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy will use the gas turbines for its next-generation KDX Type III destroyer. “We are very pleased that the Republic of Korea Navy has extended its vote of confidence in the GE family and the LM2500 gas turbine system for the KDX-III program,” said Karl Matson, general manger of GE Transportation’s marine operations, Evendale, Ohio. Hyundai or Daewoo Shipyards in Korea are building a total of three KDX Type III destroyers, each of which weigh more than 7,000 tons. The vessels will be equipped with AEGIS combat systems.

By Lt. j.g. Adm. Robert F. Willard, Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, presented the crew of USS Howard (DDG 83) the Arleigh Burke Fleet Trophy Award for the U.S. Pacific for 2006 on Aug. The Arleigh Burke Fleet Trophy Award, named after one of the U.S. Navy's most famous destroyer squadron commanders and the Chief of Naval Operations from 1955 to 1961, is presented annually to the ship or aviation squadron (one in the Pacific Fleet and one in the Atlantic Fleet) that has achieved the greatest improvement during the preceding year in operational readiness, inspections, retention and improvement in the Battle Efficiency Award program. Willard…

Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), Adm. Michael G. Mullen, announced the construction of USS Stockdale (DDG 106) at the Western Conference and Exposition (West 2006) at the San Diego Conference Center January 12 in the presence of Mrs. Sybil Stockdale, widow of Navy and Vietnam War hero, Vice Adm. James B. Stockdale. “You and James are examples to all of us,” said Mullen to Stockdale. “Vice Adm. Mullen went on to say that it was the first ship he’s named as CNO and that it was only fitting to name it after James Stockdale. “I can’t even put it into words what this means to me,” said Dr. James B. Stockdale, Jr., son of the vice admiral. “I feel very proud. Stockdale is considered by many to be one of the greatest heroes in U.S. history. He was the highest-ranking POW in the Vietnam War.