Austal, HII: New gas turbine module

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. – GE Marine’s new lightweight LM2500 composite gas turbine module and updated components are fully certified by the Navy after receiving MIL-S-901D shock qualification, the company reported during the Sea Air Space 2019 industry exhibition. The Navy approval was obtained after the successful shock test of the composite module and the submittal of a comprehensive assessment of the changes to the LM2500 system. Changes include the composite module, components, and fewer shock mounts for weight reduction - all while leveraging the experience and loadings from previous LM2500 shock tests with running units. The Navy and General Dynamics Bath (Maine) Iron Works OK’d the Engineering Change Proposal for the LM2500 modernized composite module for initial application onboard the future USS Ted Stevens (DDG 128), the 78th Arleigh Burke-class destroyer. The surface combatant will feature four GE LM2500 marine gas turbines and will be constructed by Huntington Ingalls Industries in Pascagoula, Miss. Austal USA of Mobile, Ala., builder of the Independence class of LCS, quickly adapted the weight-saving composite enclosure and will incorporate the new module on the future USS Santa Barbara (LCS-32). The Navy plans to purchase up to 20 new FFG(X) frigates, which will have more lethality than present-day LCS. GE is banking on its LM2500 family of marine gas turbines to power the new frigate program and contract. GE’s LM2500 family of gas turbines is also among contractors being considered for the Navy’s Large Surface Combatant program - to replace the DDG 51 destroyers. GE’s marine gas turbine business is part of GE Aviation and is HQ’d in Cincinnati, Ohio. GE also has aviation manufacturing plants in Ellisville and Batesville, Miss., and Auburn, Ala. (Source: GE Aviation (05/06/19)