GE Gas Turbines Powering Australian Navy Vessel

Two GE LM2500 marine gas turbines now power the HMAS Sydney, which was recently commissioned by the Royal Australian Navy(RAN).

This is the first commissioning of an Australian warship at sea since the Second World War.

HMAS Sydney is the last of three Hobart class ships built and delivered by the Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) Alliance which includes the Australian Department of Defense, Raytheon Australia, and ASC Pty Ltd, supported by Navantia Australia. HMAS Sydney’s sister warships are HMAS Hobart and Brisbane, commissioned in 2017 and 2018 respectively.

Each DDG features two GE LM2500s configured in a COmbined Diesel Or Gas turbine (CODOG) arrangement with two diesel engines. The destroyers are based on the design developed by Navantia for the Spanish Navy’s F100 frigate program (Alvaro de Bazan class).  The LM2500 marine gas turbine is a simple-cycle, two-shaft, high-performance engine. Derived from GE’s CF6-6 aircraft engines, the turbine offers 25 MW of output.

GE LM2500 marine gas turbines also power the Anzac class frigates as well as two Landing Helicopter Dock ships – HMAS Canberra and Adelaide – both the largest ships ever built for the RAN.

Optimum fleet readiness

GE Marine has been involved in the AWD project for many years supporting the ships’ designer, builder and now the RAN. For instance, for each ship built and delivered, a GE marine gas turbine expert was on board for the first fire of the two LM2500 gas turbines. Another GE team member would take the maiden voyage out of port in Adelaide in support of the builder’s sea trials.

“Now that HMAS Sydney has been commissioned, GE will provide the RAN with long-term, in-service support for the LM2500 gas turbines,” said Kris Shepherd, Vice President and General Manager, GE Marine. “GE ensures the RAN optimum fleet readiness and lower total cost of ownership.”

In addition to the three Hobart class destroyers, GE provides customized shipboard and depot level maintenance for the LM2500 gas turbines on the Anzac and Canberra class ships. The depot level maintenance is performed by Air New Zealand Gas Turbines, an authorized LM2500 service center and longtime RAN service provider. GE’s support includes:

• LM2500 gas turbine propulsion system maintenance and overhaul
• Parts warehousing and inventory management (including spare engines, supply of spare parts and replenishment of inventory)
• Onsite field service support (home port and deployed)
• Support of school training curriculum for on-engine and equipment maintenance
• Configuration management