Rolls-Royce installs MT30 on new carrier

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LONDON, Jan. 25 (UPI) -- Rolls-Royce said it installed the first of two MT30 gas turbine engines into Britain's new aircraft carrier, the HMS Queen Elizabeth.

The MT30, at 36 megawatts -- 50,000 horsepower -- is the world's most powerful marine gas turbine, the company said, and the two units will supply two-thirds of the carrier's propulsion and energy needs.

"The successful installation of the first MT30 marks a significant milestone in the Queen Elizabeth class program," said Tony Wood, Rolls-Royce's president of marine business.

"Rolls-Royce has a long and proud history of delivering excellent marine gas turbine technology to the Royal Navy. We are extremely pleased to be part of this program working alongside our many partners in delivering sophisticated power and propulsion systems for these magnificent ships."

Installation involved the lifting of the MT30 gas turbine and associated ancillary equipment - housed in a steel package known as the gas turbine enclosure -- onto the ship structure at a shipyard in Scotland owned by Babcock.

The MT30 is derived from the Rolls-Royce Trent 800 aero engine which powers the Boeing 777 aircraft. It powers a class variant of a U.S. Navy's Littoral Combat Ship and will power the Navy's new DDG-1000 class of destroyers.