GE’s Marine Solutions announces that its LM2500 marine gas turbines now power the United States Navy’s USS Manchester (LCS 14). This Littoral Combat Ship was commissioned on May 26 by the U.S. Navy in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
Each of the two LM2500 engines produce over 29,500 horsepower, propelling the USS Manchester to speeds of 40+ knots or 46 miles per hour. 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.
Sister ship USS Cincinnati was recently christened in Mobile, Alabama, at the Austal USA shipyard. Cincinnati is the hometown of GE Aviation and the manufacturing hub for the LM2500 marine gas turbines that power these sophisticated surface combatants.
USS Manchester is the twelfth littoral combat ship delivered to the U.S. Navy and the seventh LCS of the Independence class. The Independence class features a unique hull design and large flight deck. USS Manchester will be the ninth LCS homeported in San Diego, California.
GE has delivered gas turbines onboard 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% 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.
