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GE LM2500+ Gas Turbines, Main Reduction Gears Selected For U.S. Navy's Eighth LHD Assault Ship

December 19, 2002

EVENDALE, Ohio - GE Marine Engines has been awarded a contract from Northrop Grumman Ship Systems, Pascagoula, Miss., to supply LM2500+ aeroderivative gas turbines and main reduction gearing for use on the U.S. Navy's eighth LHD WASP (LHD 1) Class large-deck, multipurpose amphibious assault ship. 

The ship will be powered by two GE LM2500+ gas turbines, coupled with GE main reduction gearing. "This marks the first military application of the LM2500+, paving the way for the use of this gas turbine for a variety of domestic and international naval programs," said Karl Matson, general manager of GE Marine Engines. 

Matson noted, "The LM2500+s each will have the U.S. Navy rating of 35,000 shaft horsepower for the LHD 8 - the highest ever in U.S. military marine applications." GE began the gas turbine testing for U.S. Navy certification in early August 2002. 

GE has adapted the existing LHD gear design to accommodate the change to the ship's unique hybrid gas turbine/electric drive system. The second reduction gearbox and accessories will mirror the existing LHD gear. A first reduction gearbox will allow power input from either the LM2500+ or the electric motor. Each of the shock-qualified gearboxes will be comprised of hardened and ground elements. 

GE has supplied nearly 90% of the U.S. Navy's hardened and ground gearing for various applications over the past 20 years. The gearboxes for the LHD 8 will be built at GE's state-of-the-art Lynn, Mass. plant. The LM2500+ gas turbines will be manufactured at GE's Evendale, Ohio facility. 

The ship's hybrid electric drive system will have electric motors to provide propulsion power at low loitering speeds. The previous seven LHD ships, also designed and built by Northrop Grumman Ship Systems, were powered by steam propulsion systems. GE also supplied the last three ships' steam propulsion equipment. 

Seven of these ships, designed to carry some 2,000 Marines, have already been delivered to the U.S. Navy by Northrop Grumman Ship Systems, and are active in the Fleet. The most recent ship, LHD 7, was commissioned the USS IWO JIMA in June 2001. 

As the large-deck centerpiece of a Navy/Marine Corps Amphibious Ready Group, LHDs embark, transport, deploy, command and fully support a Marine Expeditionary Unit. The ships are fully capable of amphibious assault, advance force and special purpose operations, as well as noncombatant evacuation and other humanitarian missions. The ships are 844 feet long and displace 40,500 tons. 

Currently there are 20 LM2500+s in or slated for operation worldwide on various commercial fast ferries and cruise ships, with an additional 74 units in diverse power generation applications. 

GE Marine Engines is part of GE Aircraft Engines and is headquartered in Evendale, Ohio. GE Marine Engines is the world's largest designer, developer and manufacturer of aeroderivative gas turbines for a variety of commercial and military marine propulsion applications. Visit GE Marine Engines on the worldwide web at www.geae.com