“We’re Ready to Support the Turkish Type FAC Program”
Defence Turkey: How would you best describe GE Marine, a division of GE Aerospace, today in terms of assets, capabilities and legacy? What can you tell us about company’s current portfolio of business? Could you please provide some key facts about the company for our readers?
Steve ROGERS: GE Aerospace is a world-leading provider of aircraft and marine engines. Its Marine Engines & Systems business is most known for its LM2500 family of gas turbines which is recognized globally for its reliability and availability, ensuring navies always have superior power when they need it most. To date, we have delivered or have on order over 1,500 marine gas turbines, powering 39 navies. Marine Engines & Systems is deeply rooted in Turkiye and collaborates extremely closely with TUSAŞ Engines Industries, who is a supplier to and licensed MRO provider for LM marine gas turbines.
Defence Turkey: Could you provide a capsule summary of GE Marine’s major activities carried out during the first 8 months of 2023?
Steve ROGERS: 2023 has been a tremendously successful year for GE Aerospace’s Marine Engines & Systems as well as for our customers. Below are some of the key highlights we celebrated this year:
MOU with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (India) for Assembly, Inspection, and Testing of the LM500 marine gas turbine
Provided Digital Solutions for LM2500 marine gas turbines aboard the Indian Navy’s Indigenous Aircraft Carrier VIKRANT
US Navy commissioned its first ship (LCS 32) with GE Aerospace’s new lightweight composite gas turbine enclosure
Established Tusas Engines Industries as a licensed Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul provider for LM2500 marine gas turbines
Turkish Navy MILGEM I-Class selected LM2500 and lightweight composite enclosure
Defence Turkey: Can you elaborate on how the LM2500+G4 aeroderivative marine gas turbine and LM6000 industrial gas turbine engines have an edge over their competitors? How many LM2500+G4 and LM6000 engines have been delivered so far?
Steve ROGERS: One of the greatest advantages of the LM2500+G4 is its phenomenal power density – providing 38% more power than the LM2500 while maintaining the same footprint. This is a tremendous asset for ship designers as it provides them options to select the right sized gas turbine for their particular application. There are currently 38 LM2500+G4’s in service or on order, supporting five navies (US, Italy, France, Egypt, and Morocco), and it has been selected to power the US Navy’s FFG 62 Constellation class frigate. You can expect to hear more from GE Aerospace in early 2024 regarding additional LM2500+G4 orders.
Defence Turkey: How has the evolution of naval power changed the company’s approach to marine propulsion? Could you elaborate on the targets of your company in the Military Gas Turbines sector and how do you envision GE Marine 10 years from now in the sector?
Steve ROGERS: There are two developments that immediately come to mind: (1) the need for more electric power aboard navy’s capital ships, and (2) the need for smaller gas turbines capable of powering navy’s littoral and coastal patrol/attack vessels.
The need for more electric power is driving electrification in naval propulsion and is largely necessitated by the advent of directed energy weapons and growth in high-powered radars/sensors. Based on our reputation in the industry, and that GE Aerospace has delivered over 1,500 marine gas turbines, navies can have confidence that our engines can continue to excel in these full electric configurations. Building on our selection by the US Navy to power the DDG(X) Land Based Test Site, you can expect to hear a major announcement in 2024 regarding another high-profile full electric configuration.
GE Aerospace also recognizes the demand for more coastal patrol and attack vessels that require a different propulsion plant than larger ships. Building on the success we’ve had with the ROK Navy’s PKX-B patrol vessel, GE Aerospace is continuing to grow its LM500 manufacturing to support other new navy programs, and we’re ready to support the Turkish Type Fast Attack Craft (FAC) program.
Defence Turkey: During IDEF ‘23 on July 27, 2023 GE Marine signed an agreement with TAIS - STM Business Partnership to provide the LM2500 Gas Turbines in a new lightweight composite module for the remaining three ISTIF Class Frigates (MILGEM 6th, 7th and 8th). Can you elaborate on the delivery schedule of the LM2500s under the contract and on benefits of the new lightweight LM2500 composite gas turbine module usage compared to the steel engine module?
Steve ROGERS: As you mentioned, the lightweight composite enclosure was selected for the MILGEM I-class frigates. The same composite enclosure has been selected by the US Navy for the Constellation class frigate as well as the new Flight-III Arleigh Burke destroyers and Littoral Combat Ships. The first composite enclosure was put into service in May 2023 with the commissioning of LCS 32 Santa Barbara. Internationally, this same enclosure was selected for the Finnish Navy’s Pohjanmaa class corvette.
The greatest benefits were designed with the sailor in mind. The composite walls reduce engine room noise by 60%, and approximately 50% less heat is rejected into the engine room. Similarly, the new enclosure provides better access to the gas turbine and its carbon fiber walls are corrosion resistant, resulting in lower life cycle costs.
Additionally, the lightweight composite enclosure provides much more design flexibility to naval architects and ship designers as it is 2.5 tons lighter than its steel counterpart, while maintaining the same Grade A shock qualification.
Defence Turkey: Could you explain for our readers your existing industrial partnership with Turkish companies such as ÇİMTAŞ and TUSAŞ Engine Industries, Inc. (TEI) for the LM250 Gas Turbine and the local content rate/percentage of made-in Türkiye parts on the LM2500?
Steve ROGERS: GE Aerospace greatly values its collaboration with TEI across multiple business segments. Specific to Marine Engines & Systems, TEI is a major supplier of LM2500 parts, and our recent signing of the Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul agreement establishes TEI as a critical services depot for marine gas turbines, ready to support global navies. We’re eager to look for ways to continue to grow our collaboration with TEI as they demonstrate impressive capabilities at their Eskisehir site
