EVENDALE, Ohio -- GE Marine reports that 2009 marks the 40th anniversary of its popular LM2500 gas turbine in service with the United States Navy. Over these four decades, GE has kept this aeroderivative gas turbine state-of-the-art through the continual infusion of technological enhancements to the LM2500 engine family. 

"The first LM2500 gas turbine began operating in 1969, powering the U.S. Navy's GTS Adm. Callaghan cargo ship. Forty-years later, the U.S. Navy continues to select the LM2500 to power the latest surface combatants in its fleet," said Brien Bolsinger, general manager, GE Marine, Evendale, Ohio. "GE has selectively infused technology to grow the LM2500 in power and efficiency to meet our customer needs. This has led to next-generation LM2500 gas turbines being applied in unique naval configurations with the U.S. and international navies." 

"Through primarily its own funding, GE has invested millions of dollars over this 40 year period to provide benefits to our global customers. The result is the realization of improved reliability and significant reduction in total cost of ownership. In return, customers have rewarded us with a tremendous business opportunity that also takes on a sense of national pride here in GE Marine. Providing the necessary power to the U.S. Navy and allied ships every time it's needed -- in any conditions and at the lowest life cycle cost -- is the name of the game for us. This translates into a long and reliable track record that we intend to continue for many years to come," Bolsinger added. 

According to E. Alan Karpovitch, U.S. Navy propulsion program manager, "The U.S. Navy's use of this power plant in over 175 ships has proven to be an extremely reliable, dense power unit. The U.S. Navy has accumulated over 13 million hours of service on our total LM2500 population since the beginning of the USS Spruance and USS Oliver Hazard Perry class applications. The Navy's current mean time between removal for the gas generator is 24,125 hours, and for the power turbine is 27,875 hours." 

The current LM2500 fleet totals over 2,500 engines, operating in diverse marine and industrial applications, including 30 navies worldwide. The global LM2500 fleet has accumulated nearly 100 million operating hours. Alone, the U.S. Navy has taken delivery of over 700 LM2500 gas turbines operating onboard a variety of vessels. The impressive list of U.S. military ship classes -- in addition to the GTS Adm. Callaghan -- include: 

- USS Pegasus (PHM-1/3) 

- Oliver Hazard Perry Class Frigate (FFG-7) 

- Spruance Class Destroyer (DD-963) 

- Kidd Class Destroyer (DDG-993) 

- Arleigh Burke Class Destroyer (DDG-51) 

- Ticonderoga Class Cruiser (CG-47) 

- T-AOE 6 Fast Combat Support Ship Class (AOE-6) 

- USNS Watson (T-AKR-310) 

- United States Coast Guard National Security Cutter 

- Independence Class Littoral Combat Ship (LCS-2) 

- X-Craft 

- LHD/LHA 

GTS Adm. Callaghan sailed from Bayonne, New Jersey, on a transatlantic voyage to Bremerhaven, Germany. This novel installation sparked a renaissance in the marine industry that has forever changed the way ship propulsion systems are developed. Presently, the Callaghan is in service as part of the U.S. Navy's ready reserve force, providing naval sea transportation needs as necessary. The vessel is maintained by the Maritime Administration and operated by the Military Sealift Command. 

LM2500 Engine Family Enhancements 

In 1983, GE uprated the LM2500, increasing the power rating capacity from 27,500 shaft horsepower (shp) to 29,500 shp at ISO conditions. The natural progression of the LM2500 product line occurred in 1995, when GE began development and testing of the LM2500+ gas turbine. 

The LM2500+ offers 40,500 shp -- 25% to 30% more power than the LM2500 -- with a simple-cycle thermal efficiency in excess of 39%. The LM2500+ maximizes the LM2500 design commonality with technology advancement and features its forerunner's precedent setting 99.6% reliability. Its high efficiency, reliability, and installation flexibility make the LM2500+ ideal for a wide variety of marine, power generation and mechanical drive applications. 

GE continues to invest in research and development for the LM2500 and its entire LM family of gas turbines. In 2005, GE introduced the LM2500+G4 engine, which has a 6% increase in airflow over the LM2500+ model and a 47,370 shp rating. The LM2500+G4 is now certified by Bureau Veritas, RINA S.p.A., and American Bureau of Shipping (naval vessel rules). To date, GE has on order or delivered 78 LM2500+G4 gas turbines for both marine and industrial applications, with a high time engine logging in excess of 16,000 hours in service. 

GE Marine is one of the world's leading manufacturers of marine products and services, including aeroderivative gas turbines ranging from 6,000 to 57,300 shaft horsepower.