EVENDALE, Ohio -- GE Marine reports that the United States Navy's Independence Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) was recently launched at Austal USA's shipyard in Mobile, Ala. Independence will be powered by two GE LM2500 aeroderivative marine gas turbines, arranged in a COmbined Diesel And Gas turbine (CODAG) configuration with two diesel engines.
The U.S. Navy selected General Dynamics' Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine, as prime contractor to handle detailed design and construction of Independence. General Dynamics - Bath Iron Works teammates include designer and shipbuilder Austal USA and General Dynamics – AIS of Pittsfield, Mass.
The 127-meter aluminum trimaran Independence is an agile surface combatant that can be deployed independently to overseas littoral regions, can remain on station for extended periods of time either with a battle group or through a forward-basing arrangement, and is capable of underway replenishment. Independence will be moored alongside the Austal USA facility while the activation and testing of combat and other onboard systems is completed. Sea trials are expected to commence in late 2008.
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.