EVENDALE, Ohio - GE - Marine reports that the United States Navy recently christened the Makin Island (LHD 8) amphibious assault ship in Pascagoula, Miss. at Northrop Grumman Ship Systems. The Makin Island, which is powered by two GE LM2500+ gas turbines coupled with GE main reduction gears, was design and built by Northrop Grumman.
According to Karl Matson, general manager of GE - Marine, "This is a milestone project for both GE and the U.S. Navy. This marks the first military marine application of our LM2500+, paving the way for the use of this gas turbine for a variety of future domestic and international naval programs. The Makin Island = also is the U.S. Navy's first all electric ship."
The ship's hybrid electric drive system has electric motors that provide propulsion power at low loitering speeds. The previous seven LHD ships, also designed and built by Northrop Grumman, were powered by steam propulsion systems. GE also supplied the last three ships' main reduction gears.
Makin Island is the eighth and final ship in the Wasp-class. The vessel is designed to transport and land a Marine Expeditionary Unit of 1,900 Marines ashore by helicopter, landing craft and amphibious assault vehicles. Its secondary missions include maintaining sea control, command and control, and mission support.
The LM2500+ gas turbines were manufactured at GE's Evendale, Ohio facility. The main reduction gears were built at GE's state-of-art gear manufacturing plant in Lynn, Mass.
LM2500+ Experience
In April 2006, GE reported that its LM2500+ gas turbine received U.S. Navy shock test approval. A series of tests were performed as part of the gas turbine's qualification for use aboard the LHD 8 and follow-on large-deck, multipurpose amphibious assault ships.
However, preceding the U.S. Navy's LHD 8 program, the LM2500+ already logged extensive commercial marine and industrial operating experience. 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 initial marine application for the LM2500+ was 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 26 of these gas turbines in or slated for operation worldwide on various commercial fast ferries and cruise ships.
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.