EVENDALE, Ohio -- GE Marine announces that its LM2500+ marine aeroderivative gas turbines have been selected by Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding (NGSB), Pascagoula, Miss., to power the United States Navy's new LHA 6 amphibious assault ship.
"The selection of the LM2500+ gas turbines offers propulsion commonality for this first-in-class ship with the U.S. Navy's existing LHD 8 amphibious assault ship currently under construction at NGSB. The LHD 8 was the first U.S. Navy ship to use this hybrid propulsion system configuration, and was the first military application of the LM2500+ gas turbine," said Brien Bolsinger, general manager, GE Marine, Evendale, Ohio. "This LHA 6 project furthers GE's long-standing tradition of supplying reliable gas turbines to the U.S. Navy -- our largest operator with a fleet of over 400 GE gas turbines."
The LHA 6 ship's hybrid mechanical-electric propulsion system will consist of two LM2500+ gas turbines, each rated at 35,290 shaft horsepower at U.S. Navy standard day conditions (100oF), and two, 5,000 horsepower auxiliary propulsion motors. The LM2500+ gas turbines will be manufactured at GE's Evendale facility.
The hybrid propulsion system enables the ship's propellers to be driven either by the gas turbines or by the electric motors, which are powered from the ship service electrical system. This propulsion system allows the ship to operate in a more fuel efficient mode throughout its speed range.
The LHA 6 -- the first ship of the U.S. Navy's LHA(R) program -- will be able to operate and support a detachment of more than 20 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft. The LHA 6 will feature several aviation capabilities enhanced beyond previous amphibious assault ships, including an enlarged hangar deck, realignment and expansion of the aviation maintenance facilities, a significant increase in available stowage for parts and support equipment, and increased aviation fuel capacity.
The LHA 6 will be multi-functional and versatile, modifying existing command, control, communications, computers and intelligence spaces to allow for flexible mission dependent reconfiguration. The LHA 6 will also have increased cargo magazine capacity, better survivability, and greater service life margins.
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.