Powering A New Class Of Frigates

GE Marine Solutions signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with RJE Global, Morphettville, South Australia, whereby RJE will assemble GE LM2500 gas turbine modules and manufacture a number of components for this engine in support of the Royal Australian Navy’s new SEA 5000 frigate program.

The MOU was signed by both companies recently at RJE’s facility in Adelaide.

The nine-ship SEA 5000 Future Frigate Program will replace the aging Anzac class frigates. GE’s LM2500 gas turbines are operational on two of the short-listed qualified ship designs—Fincantieri’s FREMM and Navantia’s F100.

Derived from GE’s CF6-6 aircraft engines, the LM2500 consists of a gas generator, a power turbine, attached fuel and lube oil pumps, a fuel control and speed governing system, associated inlet and exhaust sections, lube and scavenge systems as well as controls and devices for starting and monitoring engine operation.

The LM2500, which has an output of 25 MW, is GE’s most widely-applied gas turbine, used by 33 navies worldwide. Possible applications for the LM2500 include patrol boats, corvettes, frigates, destroyers, cruisers, cargo/auxiliary ships and aircraft carriers. The LM2500 is also available as a military generator set.

“Through this MOU, GE provides RJE access to manufacturing and assembly knowledge as well as other GE resources that have been used with similar local manufacturers globally to produce our reliable LM2500 marine gas turbine modules,” said Brien Bolsinger, vice president, General Manager, GE, Evendale, Ohio, USA. “Teaming with RJE is a natural choice that makes the LM2500 engine the low risk, in-country solution for the RAN’s next-generation frigate program. RJE also has a long and proven history of working well with several other GE businesses.”

RJE designs and builds plant and power solutions for industries including mining, renewable energy, utility power generation, and infrastructure. RJE already is an authorized distributor for GE Transportation’s medium speed diesel generator sets both in Australia and internationally; RJE also performs work on GE Power’s LM2500 trailer mounted gas turbine power generation modules.