Rolls-Royce has achieved full power operation of its first production MT30 powered main turbine generator set delivered to the U.S. Navy. The MT30, delivered to the U.S. Navy for the DDG-1000, USS Zumwalt program, achieved full power operation at 36 MW during testing at the US Navy’s land based test site in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The selection by the US Navy for the DDG-1000 program marks the first large gas turbine engine ordered by the U.S. Navy for use in a generator set providing electrical power for propulsion and on-board systems throughout the ship.
The MT30 has been developed to meet the growing demand by navies for higher power gas turbines in the 34-40MW range and it can be configured for mechanical or generator drive. The MT30 achieves a high power density by delivering high output in a compact space, a key factor in naval propulsion systems.
Lockheed Martin has also selected the MT30 for the Littoral Combat Ship program, with the first ship-of-class, the USS Freedom, bearing two MT30s as part of the combined diesel and gas turbine configuration powering Rolls-Royce waterjets. The MT30 has additionally been selected for the UK Royal Navy’s new aircraft carrier class, the Queen Elizabeth which, like the Zumwalt, will benefit from integrated all-electric propulsion.