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You are here: Home > Marine > Marine news > 2005 > Rolls-Royce delivers most powerful marine gas turbine in the world
Rolls-Royce, under contract to Northrop Grumman, the prime contractor for the DD(X) programme, has delivered its first MT30 marine gas turbine generator set to the US Navy.
The MT30, the world's most powerful marine generator set on the market today, was shipped to the Navy's test facility in Philadelphia to power test runs for the DD(X) destroyer, a leading-edge programme key to future capabilities.
The MT30 will drive the DD(X) Integrated Power System Engineering Development Model, which will provide risk mitigation for the main propulsion and shipboard systems. The shipment marks the first delivery of a large Rolls-Royce gas turbine for the US Navy.
“We are delighted to deliver this transformational technology to the US Navy,” said Patrick J. Marolda, President of the Rolls-Royce naval marine business in North America. “The MT30 incorporates leading-edge, proven aero engine technology into a unique marine power system.“
The 36 megawatt (MW) MT30 has 80 percent commonality with the Trent 800 aero engine which has won a market-leading 44 percent of the Boeing 777 program and achieved more than six million flying hours since entering service in 1996.
Final assembly of the MT30 took place at DRS Power Technologies, Inc. in Fitchburg, MA. The generator set was taken by truck to the port of Lynn, MA, where it was loaded on a barge for the trip to the test facility in Philadelphia.
“We are proud to team with prime contractor Northrop Grumman and our partners here in Massachusetts and around the world to help power the future of the US Navy,” continued Marolda.
The MT30 generator set has more than 75 percent US content across design, manufacture, assembly and test.
Rolls-Royce recently shipped its 4MW RR4500 generator set to the same Philadelphia test facility where it will operate in conjunction with the MT30 on the DD(X) Engineering Development Model.
Rolls-Royce operates in four global markets - civil aerospace, defence aerospace, marine and energy. It is investing in technology and capability that can be exploited in each of these sectors to create a competitive range of products.
The success of these products is demonstrated by the company's rapid and substantial gains in market share over recent years. The company now has a total of 54,000 gas turbines in service worldwide. The investments in product, capability and infrastructure to gain this market position create high barriers to entry.
Rolls-Royce has a broad customer base comprising more than 500 airlines, 4,000 corporate and utility aircraft and helicopter operators, 160 armed forces and more than 2,000 marine customers, including 70 navies. The company has energy customers in nearly 120 countries. Rolls-Royce employs around 35,000 people, of which 21,000 are in the UK. Forty per cent of its employees are based outside the UK - including 5,000 in the rest of Europe and 8,000 in North America.
The large installed base of engines generates demand for the provision of services. A key element of the company's strategy is to maximize services revenues, which have increased by 60 per cent over the past five years, by the provision of a comprehensive portfolio of services.
Annual sales total nearly £6 billion, of which 55 per cent are services revenues. The order book is more than £21 billion, which, together with demand for services, provides visibility as to future activity levels.
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Craig Taylor
Senior Business Partner – Corporate Communications
