GE to Supply IHI with LM2500 Gas Turbines

GE Transportation's marine gas turbine business announced it will supply Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries, Co. Ltd. (IHI) with four GE LM2500 aeroderivative gas turbines. The engines will power the first of a new class of Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's (JMSDF) helicopter-carrying destroyers. The first vessel will be know as the 16DDH, and it is anticipated that at least one additional DDH destroyer will be built in the coming years. The 13,500-ton DDH destroyer will use two propulsion trains, each consisting of two LM2500s in a COmbined Gas turbine And Gas turbine configuration (COGAG), driving a propeller through a gearbox. The engines will each provide 25,000 shaft horsepower. "This is an exciting project for the JMSDF as it marks the first of these new helicopter-carrying destroyers," said Karl Matson, general manager of GE Transportation's marine business in Evendale, Ohio. Through its partnership with IHI, GE has supplied the JMSDF with 57 LM2500 and 27 LM500 gas turbines, currently in service on Kongou- and Murasame-class destroyers, and on the Ichi Go-class missile boats and Hayabusa-class patrol boats, respectively. In fact, by 2009 when all ships currently on contract are commissioned, there will be 65 GE LM2500 gas turbines operating on 22 JMSDF vessels. Matson added, "We are pleased that the JMSDF has selected the LM2500 for the novel 16DDH application. Through the infusion of more than $473 million for research and development over the past decade, GE keeps its LM product line on the cutting edge of gas turbine technology. In fact, GE has made improvements to hot section materials and other components to increase the power capability and reliability of these gas turbines." The LM2500 is a popular choice with 29 navies worldwide for use in a variety of propulsion system configurations in vessels such as frigates, corvettes, patrol boats and aircraft carriers. The LM2500 is also applied for diverse commercial marine projects including fast ferries and cruise ships. The current fleet of over 1,200 LM2500 gas turbines has logged more than 50 million hours in service. GE will supply the LM2500 gas turbine kits to be assembled by IHI at its Mizuho April 16 and 17 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, April 23 and 24 and Kure plants in Japan. The gas turbine marine modules will be delivered for installation aboard the first destroyer in the second quarter 2007. The 16DDH will be commissioned in the first quarter 2009.