Skip to main content

GE Supplies United States Navy with Additional LM2500 Digital Fuel Control Retrofit Kits

May 03, 2010

NATIONAL HARBOR, Maryland -- GE Marine reports that the United States Navy has ordered an additional 16 Digital Fuel Control (DFC) kits for LM2500 marine aeroderivative gas turbines aboard four ships. The DFC kits provide for lower maintenance costs, increased reliability and better system response, GE announced today at Sea Air Space 2010. 

The 16 LM2500s to be retrofitted power the U.S. Navy's CG-47 Ticonderoga class cruisers and DDG-51 Arleigh Burke class destroyers. The DFC kits incorporate the most state-of-the-art controls available for GE LM gas turbines - a technology now standard on new LM2500 and LM2500+ engines. Previous-generation LM2500s use a hydro-mechanical control system. 

The recent LM2500 DFC kits ordered by the U.S. Navy bring the total to 76 gas turbines on 19 ships that have been or will be retrofitted. The LM2500s already retrofitted on select DDG-51 and CG-47 class ships have accumulated nearly 180,000 DFC operating hours. The kits are installed as part of a U.S. Navy's ship system modernization program. 

The first LM2500 equipped with the DFC technology was installed by the U.S. Navy in 1994 aboard the Watson class large, medium-speed, roll-on/roll-off ships. The DFC technology -- as part of the standard engine equipment -- also has been delivered to international navies for LM2500 gas turbines applications, as well as on a variety of commercial projects where GE gas turbines are used to power cruise ships and fast ferries. 

Benefits of the DFC technology are numerous and include: 

  • Improved engine resistance to possible fuel contamination through oil actuation of variable stator vanes (VSV) and the fuel metering valve.
  • Updated control of fuel and air scheduling within the gas turbine provides more accurate fuel/air scheduling through electrical feedback and closed-loop control. In addition, fuel characteristics and VSV positions can be recalibrated through the control software inputs.
  • Gas turbine control sensor redundancy on compressor discharge pressure, compressor inlet temperature and pressure, gas generator speed, VSV position, and fuel metering valve position.
  • Improved operator signals, alarms, and troubleshooting are provided by additional electrical sensors and actuator feedback. GE DFC kits also offer improved capabilities for data capture and condition monitoring.
  • Primary DFC retrofit kit components include a fuel metering valve and two VSV actuators, both with redundant electronic feedback. An upgraded engine controller and shipboard wiring changes are also required to incorporate the DFC kit. 

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.