Vericor Supplies Kockums With Gas Turbines

Vericor Power Systems has supplied Kockums Naval Systems, Karlskrona, Sweden, with two TF50 marine gas turbines and associated equipment for use on two Stockholm-class corvettes owned by the Royal Swedish Navy. The TF50s will replace existing gas turbines and will be part of the Combined Diesel and Gas Turbine (CODAG) systems on the Malmö and Stockholm corvettes. Each TF50 will be rated at 4 megawatts and will drive a controllable pitch propeller through new primary reduction gear. Vericor Power Systems is providing a total of 28 TF50 gas turbines including spares for the Visby program, which consists of six vessels, all built by Kockums. Measuring 164 ft. (50 m), the Malmö and Stockholm vessels were commissioned in 1985. Other enhancements being made to these two vessels include command and control systems and sensor upgrades, along with structural modifications designed to minimize radar signature. Honeywell Engines and Systems in Phoenix, Ariz., manufactured the TF50 gas turbines. Installation of the equipment aboard the Malmö is to be completed by September 2001, and sea trials and re-entry of the Malmö into service is expected by the fourth quarter 2002. The refit schedule for the Stockholm is expected to trail the Malmö by one month.