LM500 Gas Turbines for Republic of Korea Navy

GE Marine reports that it will supply Samsung Techwin, Republic of Korea (ROK), with LM500 gas turbines to power PK(X) patrol boats to be built as part of phase two of this ROK Navy fast patrol boat program. The first PK(X) Yoon Young-ha has already been launched at Hanjin Heavy Industries’ Busan, ROK shipyard.

“We are delighted that the ROK Navy selected LM500 propulsion system commonality for the next PK(X) patrol boats,” said Brien Bolsinger, general manager, GE Marine, Evendale, Ohio.

Each of the PK(X) patrol boats will use LM500 gas turbines, rated at approximately 5,600 shaft horsepower, in a Combined diesel and gas turbine (CODAG) arrangement, with diesel engines. 

Samsung Techwin, a GE Marine System Supplier, will provide the shipyard with the LM500 propulsion modules. In addition, GE will provide ongoing support to Samsung Techwin, the shipyard, and the ROK Navy throughout installation, sea trials, and commissioning.  A third and final production run of PK(X) vessels is currently under study by the ROK Navy.

The LM500 is derived from GE’s TF34 turbofan aircraft engine, and has 90% commonality with the CF34 engine that powers the popular CRJ100/200 regional jet, with more than 14 million hours of operation.

The simple cycle LM500 is a two-shaft gas turbine consisting of a gas generator, a free power turbine and cold end drive capabilities. The 14-stage axial flow compressor offers a 14.5:1 pressure ratio.

Currently there are 67 LM500 gas turbines delivered or on order, accumulating more than 1.8 million operating hours. Of that total, 140,000 hours have been logged in marine service. The high time engine has accumulated nearly 88,000 hours.

The versatile LM500 operates in a variety of propulsion system configurations, such as the CODAG arrangement aboard the Danish Navy’s Stanflex 300 patrol boat; and the combined diesel or gas turbine and the combined gas and gas turbine arrangements for the Japanese Navy’s Ichi Go class missile boats and Hayabusa patrol boats, respectively.

The LM500 is also used to power two Foilcat high-speed commercial ferries that operate in Hong Kong.