EVENDALE, Ohio -- GE - Marine recently received United States Navy shock approval on its LM2500+ aeroderivative marine gas turbine propulsion system. The test series was performed as part of the gas turbine's qualification for use aboard the U.S. Navy's LHD 8 and follow-on large-deck, multipurpose amphibious assault ships.
"Through the shock tests, we were able to successfully demonstrate that the LM2500+ is capable of continued operation after explosive hits that simulated an attack of a ship or near-miss strikes," said Karl Matson, general manager, GE - Marine, Evendale, Ohio. "Similar to our LM2500 gas turbine -- which currently powers the U.S. Navy's entire fleet of surface combatants - these tests prove the LM2500+'s rugged operating and performance characteristics for military service."
The shock test series, which were performed on the gas turbine as well as its base and enclosure, are the second qualification required by the U.S. Navy in order for the LM2500+ propulsion system to be applied aboard the LHD 8. Approval of the rating qualification was announced by GE in July 2004, whereby the U.S. Navy certified the LM2500+ for operation at 35,000 brake horsepower for mechanical drive applications.
Shock Test Regimen
A four-shot test series for heavyweight machinery was performed on the LM2500+ propulsion system. At the completion of this shock test series in Virginia, the LM2500+ propulsion system successfully finished a 100-hour post-shock endurance test. The test was conducted at variable load-up to 35,000 shaft horsepower at GE's Evendale test cell in August 2004. Shortly thereafter in September 2004, the LM2500+ propulsion system was disassembled to major subassemblies for inspection by LHD 8 shipbuilder Northrop Grumman Ship Systems, Pascagoula, Miss. and U.S. Navy representatives.
The shock-tested gas turbine has since been reassembled and was installed aboard the LHD 8 in June 2005 to commence fleet service upon delivery of the vessel to the U.S. Navy in 2007.
LM2500+ Gas Turbine
The LHD 8 will be the first military application of the LM2500+, paving the way for the use of this gas turbine for a variety of future domestic and international naval programs.
The LHD 8 is being built by Northrop Grumman Ship Systems and will be powered by two GE LM2500+ gas turbines, coupled with GE main reduction gearing manufactured at GE's Lynn, Mass. 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' main reduction gears.
LM2500+ Commercial Success
Preceding the U.S. Navy's LHD 8 program, the LM2500+ has already experienced extensive commercial marine and industrial operational experience, offering up to 25% more power at a simple-cycle thermal efficiency in excess of 39%. The LM2500+ is designed to achieve reliability equal to the precedent setting 99.6% reliability of the LM2500. Its high efficiency, reliability, and installation flexibility make it ideal for a wide variety of marine power generation and mechanical drive applications. In addition, the LM2500+ holds Det Norske Veritas class certification.
The first marine LM2500+ entered service in 2000 aboard Celebrity Cruises' Millennium - the world's first gas turbine-powered cruise ship. That year also marked the first fast ferry application of the LM2500+ aboard Societe Nationale Maritime Corse Mediterranee's Corsaire 13000. Presently there are more than 30 of these gas turbines in or slated for operation worldwide on various commercial fast ferries and cruise ships.
In fact, currently 22 LM2500+ gas turbines can be found aboard four Royal Caribbean, four Celebrity Cruises, four Princess Cruises and one Cunard Line cruise ships in a variety of configurations.
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.