Austal Completes Warship Main Engine Light-Off

Main engine plant of  USN 127-meter Littoral Combat Ship 'Coronado' (LCS 4) powered up by shipbuilders, Austal.

Austal has completed main engine light off of the two MTU 9,100kW 20V 8000 M71 propulsion diesel engines and the two 22,000kW GE LM2500 gas turbine engines, following the fuel load and testing of all four generators.

The diesels are considered the highest power high-speed diesel engines in the world. Delivering up to 12,200 bhp (9,100 kW) of continuous power, MTU's Series 8000 offers a fuel consumption of less than 190g/kWh, while achieving IMO MARPOL NOx emission certification.

The GE LM2500 gas turbines each develop 29,500 bhp (22,000kW) and are the standard workhorse engines installed in almost all the U.S. Navy surface combatant ships. More than 750 of these gas turbines power the Navy’s fleet of surface combatants. The LM2500 marine gas turbine is GE’s most widely-used gas turbine. It powers more than 400 ships in 30 world navies, fast ferries, coast guard cutters, supply ships and cruise ships.

In reaction to the success of this important event leading up to LCS 4 sea trials, Craig Perciavalle, Senior Vice President of Operations, commented, “This achievement could not have been accomplished without the hard work and dedication of the great employees here at Austal, as well as support provided by our Navy teammates. It’s always exciting to see a great war ship come to life and to witness the pride and passion of those making it happen.” Added Perciavalle, “This is a significant milestone in preparation for sea trials and subsequent delivery.”