US Navy Commissions First Ship with GE Marine’s Gas Turbine Enclosure

GE's composite gas turbine enclosure provides a safer engine room environment and improved access for sailors, including reduced engine room noise, cooler engine room temperatures, and significant weight reduction By Joseph Macey / 04 Apr 2023

Discover Leading Defense Technology Solutions

Discover cutting-edge solutions from leading global suppliers
SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT
Follow DA

The US Navy has commissioned the USS Santa Barbara (LCS 32), powered by two GE LM2500 gas turbines that include GE’s lightweight composite gas turbine enclosure.

This marks the first commissioned installation of GE Marine’s new composite module. The gas turbines and the modules are both manufactured in the United States.

“This commissioning is more than just the launch of the USS Santa Barbara, but it also demonstrates the next wave of innovation for GE. Not only does this composite enclosure afford ship designers a significant reduction in weight, but it was also designed with the sailor in mind by providing greater access, reduced temperatures, and improved sound attenuation,” said Kris Shepherd, Vice President and General Manager of GE Marine.

GE’s state-of-the-art composite gas turbine enclosure was fully certified in 2019 by the United States Navy after receiving MIL-S-901D Grade A shock qualification. It provides a safer engine room environment and improved access for sailors, including:

Reduced engine room noise – 60% (4dBA) less noise than steel enclosures.

Cooler engine room temperatures – Enclosure wall temperatures are 25oF to 50oF degrees cooler, approximately 50% less heat is rejected into the engine room. 

Superior operational and life cycle benefits – The composite carbon fiber walls are constructed from a single corrosion resistant piece. 

Significant weight reduction – The walls and roof assembly are 2,500 kg (5,500 lbs) lighter, a 50% weight reduction, allowing ship designers more flexibility for increased payload, fuel, or systems.

Better access to the engine – Improved crew access to inlet plenum and lightweight main door for easy handling.

Ease of engine removal/reinstallation – The gas turbines can be removed and reinstalled through the intake path.

According to GE, key differentiators, like the lightweight composite gas turbine enclosure, make its gas turbines the preferred engine choice for navies worldwide, all backed by 99% reliability and a global maintenance network.

GE Engines have been installed aboard over 600 naval ships serving around the world and provide 95% of the commissioned propulsion gas turbines in the US Navy and Coastguard surface combatant fleet. The lightweight composite module will be installed in these new warships, US Navy’s FFG-62 Constellation class Frigates and DDG-51 Flight 3 Destroyers, and the Finnish Navy’s Pohjanmaa-class Corvettes.

Find Military Engine manufacturers & suppliers rugged, mil-spec engines for aircraft, military vehicles, tanks and submarines >>

Posted by Joseph Macey Connect & Contact

Latest Articles

Meltio Expands Additive Manufacturing Distribution Network in Portugal

Meltio has announced a new strategic partnership with PrimeOut to expand its presence in Portugal’s metal additive manufacturing market

May 02, 2025
New Mobile Troposcatter Technology Supports GPS Denied Operations

Spectra Group is set to unveil a mobile troposcatter solution enhancing Comtech’s COMET system, delivering high-bandwidth, satellite-independent communications in contested and GPS-denied environments

May 02, 2025
Micropol Expands Tactical Communications Capabilities with New Production Facility

Micropol Fiberoptic is expanding its tactical communications capabilities with a new high-capacity production facility strategically located along Sweden’s E6 highway in Halmstad

May 02, 2025
ALE: Secure Battery Solutions for DoD & Aerospace Systems

American Lithium Energy (ALE) is a trusted provider of secure, high-performance batteries, delivering essential power solutions to the U.S. Department of Defense and other high-demand sectors

May 02, 2025
Partnership to Enhance Networking Capabilities for Defense Platforms

Amphenol Aerospace and BotBlox have partnered to distribute and integrate compact, rugged Ethernet hardware for defense platforms, enhancing networking capabilities and accelerating product development for uncrewed and mobile systems

May 01, 2025
USMC Receives Extended Range MQ-9A Reaper® from GA-ASI

The U.S. Marine Corps has received a technologically advanced MQ-9A Reaper® UAS from GA-ASI, featuring wing-borne fuel pods and reinforced landing gear for extended 30+ hour endurance

May 01, 2025

Featured Content

Partnership to Enhance Networking Capabilities for Defense Platforms

Amphenol Aerospace and BotBlox have partnered to distribute and integrate compact, rugged Ethernet hardware for defense platforms, enhancing networking capabilities and accelerating product development for uncrewed and mobile systems

May 01, 2025
Sky Power to Showcase ISR UAV Propulsion Technology at XPONENTIAL 2025

Sky Power International will present advanced UAV propulsion technologies at XPONENTIAL 2025, highlighting powerful engines, hybrid systems, and customized solutions for ISR and civilian applications

Apr 29, 2025
Q&A with DEFCROS: Key Insights for the 2025 Expo

DEFCROS Founder Kristijan Ilovača discusses the expo’s rapid growth, international ambitions, and how the event aims to support defense and security innovators

Apr 24, 2025
Advancing Defense Capability Through Strategic Collaboration Defense Advancement works with major OEMs to foster collaboration and increase engagement with SMEs, to accelerate innovation and drive defense capabilities forward.