GE Engines Power USS Cincinnati
GE Marine Solutions' LM2500 marine engines power the U.S. Navy’s newest Independence class Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) USS Cincinnati (LCS 20), which was christened May 5 at the Austal USA shipyard in Mobile, Ala.
Each of the ship’s two LM2500 engines produce over 29,500 horsepower, propelling the USS Cincinnati to speeds in excess of 40 knots or 46 miles per hour.
“Our skilled and diverse workforce proudly manufactures the LM2500 gas turbines used to power this sophisticated surface combatant at GE Aviation’s hometown just a few minutes-drive from downtown Cincinnati,” said GE’s Brien Bolsinger, Vice President, Marine Operations. “The May 5 christening is another way to celebrate the LCS 20, its namesake city and GE’s contribution to our country’s national security.”
Representing GE at the christening was Steve Maynard, Director, Customer Application Engineering with GE’s marine gas turbine business. Maynard, a retired U.S. Navy Captain, also is the President of the Greater Cincinnati chapter of the Navy League of the United States.
To date, GE has contracts to provide gas turbines for ships up to LCS 30 (even ship numbers are Austal Independence class ships). In addition, Austal is one of five shipyards that have been awarded a concept design contract for the U.S. Navy’s new missile guided frigate FFG(X), based on the Independence class LCS.
GE has delivered gas turbines on board 646 naval ships serving 35 navies worldwide. The U.S. Navy is GE’s largest marine gas turbine customer, with more than 700 LM2500 family engines. GE has provided 97 percent of the commissioned propulsion gas turbines in the U.S. Navy fleet. With a GE gas turbine, the U.S. Navy has support worldwide whether onshore or at sea, and interoperability benefits with other U.S. and allied naval ships.