GE Aviation, EVENDALE, Ohio: GE Marine reports that its LM2500 gas turbines will be used to power the United States Navy's next Littoral Combat Ship (LCS 4). GE will supply the two LM2500 gas turbine modules to Austal USA, Mobile, Alabama.
Austal USA is a subcontractor to Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine, a General Dynamics company and the prime contractor for the General Dynamics LCS program.
“The U.S. Navy has solid experience with the reliable LM2500, as more than 750 of these gas turbines power its fleet of surface combatants. Now the LM2500 will be applied on the LCS, one of the most state-of-the-art military combatant applications in the world today,” said Brien Bolsinger, GE Marine general manager. “In fact the Independence (LCS 2) — also built by Austal USA/Bath Iron Works — features two GE LM2500 gas turbines. The keel for this vessel was laid on January 19, 2006.”
The General Dynamics trimaran LCS is an agile surface combatant that can be deployed independently to overseas littoral regions, can remain on station for extended periods of time either with a battle group or through a forward-basing arrangement, and is capable of underway replenishment.
Austal USA is the sea frame designer and builder in the General Dynamics team. Austal's unique trimaran hull platform features two LM2500 gas turbines and two diesel engines configured into a combined diesel and gas turbine arrangement, with four steerable waterjets and one steerable thruster. The LCS has a 127.2-meter length, 30.4-meter beam, 4.5-meter draft and a sprint speed of 40+ knots.
The LM2500 gas turbines will each be rated at 29,500 shaft horsepower at U.S. Navy standard day conditions (100oF). The gas turbines will be manufactured at GE's Evendale, Ohio facility, and will be delivered to Austal USA in September 2007.
GE Marine is one of the world's leading manufacturers of marine products and services, including gas turbines ranging from 6,000 to 57,300 shaft horsepower, and marine main reduction gearing.
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