GE Tapped to Power Japanese Destroyer

GE Marine will supply Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries, Co., Ltd. (IHI), Tokyo, Japan with four LM2500 gas turbines. The engines will be placed into propulsion modules by IHI to power the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force’s (JMSDF) 15DDG AEGIS destroyer. The destroyer will be built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.’s Nagasaki, Japan shipyard.

The 15DDG will be the sixth AEGIS destroyer built for the JMSDF using GE’s LM2500 gas turbines. In fact, this order brings the total of LM2500s in the JMSDF’s fleet to 61, including Murasame-class and Takanami-class destroyers that are powered by this gas turbine. In addition, 27 GE LM500 gas turbines power six JMSDF hydrofoils and three monohull boats.

The LM2500 remains a popular choice with 29 navies throughout the world for use in a variety of propulsion system configurations aboard vessels such as frigates, corvettes, patrol boats and aircraft carriers. The LM2500 is also applied in diverse commercial marine projects including fast ferries and cruise ships. Presently there are more than 1,900 LM2500 gas turbines operating worldwide, logging over 40 million hours in service.

In addition, GE continues to invest in its gas turbine technology, spending more than $235 million over the past decade on LM product line research and development. Improvements include hot section materials upgrade and other component enhancements. These improvements have increased the power capability and reliability, and helped keep the LMs on the cutting-edge of gas turbine technology.

The LM2500 gas turbines for the 15DDG destroyer will be manufactured at GE’s Evendale, Ohio facility. IHI will assemble and test the gas turbines and modules at its Mizuho and Kure plants in Japan.

The 15DDG destroyer is scheduled for commissioning by the JMSDF in 2008.