YALTES Delivered LM2500 Gas Turbine Control Systems for MİLGEM 6-8 Ships
In September 2023, YALTES signed a procurement contract with the TAIS Joint Venture and STM Partnership for the Integrated Platform Management System (EPKİS/IPMS) and the Main Propulsion Control, Monitoring and Alarm System (ATS-KİAS) for MİLGEM 6-8 ships. By completing the Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) for the Main Propulsion Control System (ATS) of MİLGEM ships 6, 7, and 8 in December 2024, YALTES successfully achieved a significant milestone under this contract.
According to the information shared by YALTES on January 11, 2025, the FAT process for the MİLGEM LM-2500 Gas Turbine Control Systems, a critical component of MİLGEM’s Main Propulsion Control System, was successfully completed between December 9-13, 2024, at Woodward Poland’s Neoplomice facility. In YALTES' official statement, it was noted: “We take great pride in successfully completing this process for our system, which plays a crucial role as a critical component of MİLGEM’s Main Propulsion Control System, and in delivering the three-ship set at the beginning of the year.” The ATS-KİAS system is capable of controlling the entire Main Propulsion System, including the gas turbine and main diesel engines.
In 2024, YALTES also signed a procurement contract with the TAIS Joint Venture and STM Partnership for the EPKİS and ATS-KİAS systems of MİLGEM 9-12 ships. As part of this agreement, YALTES entered into a new cooperation deal with Woodward Poland for the development of the Main Propulsion Control Systems for MİLGEM 9, 10, 11, and 12, laying the foundation for a long-term strategic partnership.
Although there is no significant difference in terms of EPKİS/IPMS between the first ship of the I-Class, TCG İstanbul Frigate, and MİLGEM ships 6, 7, and 8, YALTES was assigned as the contractor for the Main Propulsion Control System, which was previously outsourced from MTU. This has transformed YALTES into an independent integrator company, apart from suppliers of different elements of the Main Propulsion Control System. This development represents a major advantage for both the Turkish Naval Forces Command, and all shipyards involved in the project. The Main Propulsion Control System essentially functions as the brain of the ship’s propulsion system.
The ATS of the TCG İstanbul Frigate consists of MTU 4000 Series MTU 20V4000M93L diesel engines and an LM-2500 Gas Turbine, while MİLGEM 6-12 ships will feature diesel engines from MAN. Since MTU diesel engines will not be used, having an MTU control system in place would be redundant.
The LM2500 Gas Turbine order for MİLGEM 6-8 ships was placed in July 2023. The LM-2500 Gas Turbines to be used in MİLGEM 6-8 are being delivered with state-of-the-art composite casings instead of steel casings. The new composite gas turbine casing, which replaces the previous steel model, provides a 60% (4 dBA) noise reduction, approximately 50% less heat dissipation in the engine room, a weight reduction of 2,500 kg (5,500 lbs), meaning 50% less weight, and allows for easier removal and reinstallation of the engine via the gas turbine air intake path.
The Main Propulsion System does not consist of a single product. These control systems must be designed according to various parameters, including different types of engines, gearboxes, electrical systems, electric motors, gas turbines, shafts, propellers, and whether the propeller is controllable. YALTES gained experience in this area during the New Type Patrol Boat Project. However, the solution implemented there was significantly simpler compared to the ATS/KİAS solution that will be used in MİLGEM 6-12 ships.
Fundamentally, the Main Propulsion Control System is software-based. It will be integrated with EPKİS, but it will also function independently in case of an issue with EPKİS or if EPKİS is offline. This provides an additional redundancy feature for the ship. In MİLGEM Projects, the Main Propulsion System has always been under the responsibility of STM, and YALTES was assigned as the contractor for the Main Propulsion Control System for MİLGEM 6-12 ships with STM’s support.
