EVENDALE, Ohio, May 3 (UPI) -- GE Marine has announced that the 14th and 16th Independence-variant of U.S. Littoral Combat Ships will be powered by its engines.
Shipbuilder Austal USA ordered four GE Marine LM2500 aeroderivative gas turbines, it said, as part of a contract for up to 10 ships over a five-year period.
The LM2500 is a two-shaft engine derived from the company's TF39 and CF6-6 aircraft engines. It has a gas generator, a power turbine, fuel and lube oil pumps, a fuel control and speed governing system.
Each Austal-built LCS is powered by two LM2500 engines arranged in a combined diesel or gas turbine configuration with two diesel engines.
GE Marine said the engines will be manufactured at its plant in Evendale, Ohio.
The Independence-variant of the Littoral Combat Ship is a 416-foot-long aluminum trimaran for independent or battle group deployment close to shore.
