EVENDALE, Ohio – GE Marine has received an order to supply one LM2500+G4 aeroderivative marine gas turbine to Avio Aero of Turin, Italy, a GE Aviation business. The gas turbine will power the Italian Navy’s eighth FREMM frigate.
Through Avio Aero, at least 17 LM2500+G4 gas turbines are expected to provide propulsion for the Italian-French-Moroccan FREMM program, which includes eight ships each for the Italian and French navies and one ship for the Royal Moroccan Navy. Other international navies are considering the FREMM frigate for use in their fleets.
According to Avio Aero’s Giulio Ranzo, Strategic Marketing & Product Leadership, "Avio Aero has long been a proud partner with the Italian Navy, assembling and servicing GE LM2500 and LM2500+G4 gas turbine modules that power our country’s Cavour aircraft carrier and the Italian-French-Moroccan FREMM frigates. In total, GE LM2500 gas turbines power seven Italian Navy ship classes.”
The LM2500+G4 gas turbine was manufactured at GE’s Evendale, Ohio, facility. For the FREMM program, Avio Aero assembles the gas turbine into a propulsion module produced in Brindisi. Avio Aero propulsion system includes a sophisticated turbine control system entirely developed and manufactured by Avio Aero and the gas turbine auxiliaries.
GE in Italy
GE is a longstanding partner in Italy, employing more than 12,000 individuals. At its facility in Brindisi alone, Avio Aero produces 20% of the worldwide LM2500 engine components. The LM2500 is GE’s most popular gas turbine used by 33 international navies and in countless marine and industrial applications. The Brindisi facility also serves as GE’s Center of Excellence for the overhaul and repair of GE’s LM2500 family of gas turbines, and will soon add overhaul capabilities for GE’s LM6000 gas turbine, supporting both marine and industrial engine customers worldwide.
"We are in the midst of our first international LM2500 repair project in Brindisi via a multi-year overhaul and repair contract with the Royal Canadian Navy. This project will ensure long-term employment for our talented technical staff in this region of Italy and is a great opportunity for Avio Aero to apply leading-edge gas turbine technologies for customers worldwide,” Ranzo concluded.
Avio Aero, headquartered in Turin, Italy, is a GE Aviation business. Avio Aero is a leading player in the design, manufacture and maintenance of civil and military aeronautics components and systems.
GE Marine, headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of marine products and services, including aeroderivative gas turbines ranging from 6,000 to 70,275 shaft horsepower. For more information, visit www.ge.com/marine.