GE Continues To Set Gas Turbine Tech Pace

GE Marine Engines has seen its LM aeroderivative gas turbines selected by 28 navies throughout the world.

Recently GE announced the selection of its LM2500 aeroderivative gas turbines and main reduction gears for use aboard the Italian Navy's new Andrea Doria aircraft carrier. The aircraft carrier is being designed by Fincantieri Direzione Navi Militari in Genoa, Italy and built at Fincantieri's Riva Trigoso, Italy shipyard. Four LM2500 gas turbines will be used in a COmbined Gas turbine and Gas (COGAG) turbine configuration aboard the Andrea Doria aircraft carrier. Each of the two gear units will provide approximately 60,000 shp and will be driven by two LM2500 gas turbines. Similar configurations will be in the port and starboard engine rooms. The GE LM2500 aeroderivative gas turbine has also been selected to power five new Royal Norwegian Navy F310-class frigates. IZAR Construcciones Navales, S.A., will build the frigates at its naval shipyard in Ferrol, Spain. The COmbined Diesel And Gas (CODAG) turbine configuration on each F310-class frigate will consist of one LM2500 gas turbine combined with the two diesel engines for a total propulsion system rating of 30.5 MW. The F310 frigates are scheduled for commissioning beginning in September 2005, with the remaining vessels to be launched annually in September through 2009.

In another project, GE will furnish maintenance and logistical support services for the Canadian Navy's fleet of LM2500 aeroderivative gas turbines used to power Halifax-class patrol frigates. The contract will provide the Canadian Navy with a decrease in administrative functions such as procurement, inspection and technical support and material and inventory management associated with the LM2500. GE's LM500 recently has experienced a resurgence in order activity. For example, the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) will use 15 LM500 gas turbines to power five 11 PG high-speed patrol boats. Each mono-hull boat will be equipped with three, 6,000-shp LM500 gas turbines driving waterjets. The 200-ton boats will be capable of reaching speeds in excess of 44 knots.

In 2001, GE received partial funding from Ingalls Shipbuilding to begin engineering work on equipment to be used aboard the U.S. Navy's eighth LHD Wasp-class ship. GE is in negotiations for a contract to supply LM2500+ gas turbines and is participating in a competition to supply main reduction gearing for these large-deck, multipurpose amphibious assault ships, thus marking the first military application of GE's LM2500+ gas turbine. The vessel will also feature a unique hybrid electric drive system, with electric motors providing propulsion power at low loitering speeds. The previous seven LHD ships, also designed and built by Ingalls, were powered by GE steam propulsion systems.

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