South Korean Navy Selects Rolls-Royce MT30 Turbine for New Frigate

MT30, image: Rolls-Royce

Rolls-Royce announced today that their MT30 gas turbine engine has been selected by the South Korean Navy to power a new FFX frigate. This is the first order for the MT30 in Asia.

The FFX frigate will use a single MT30 rather than a pair, which demonstrates that the engine is suitable to power a variety of naval ships.

Andrew Marsh, Rolls-Royce, President – Naval said: “We are delighted that the Republic of Korea Navy has selected the MT30 for the first ship in the FFX Batch II programme. The MT30 is the engine of choice to power the world’s most advanced naval ships, where demand for power is increasing as more navies choose all-electric ships with sophisticated on board systems.

“We look forward to working with HHI, DSME and the Navy in delivering what will be the world’s first frigate to feature the MT30.”

The MT30 is derived from Rolls-Royce aero engine technology and builds on over 45 million hours of operating experience. Producing 36 to 40 megawatts, it is the world’s most powerful marine gas turbine and has the highest power density – a key factor in naval propulsion where delivering a high power output in a compact space is essential.

The FFX Batch II programme is for eight ships. This order is for the first vessel in the programme, which will be built by Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME).The MT30 engine will be built and tested in the UK before being shipped to Korea, where Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) will integrate it into the steel enclosure which also houses the air inlets, exhausts and ancillary equipment, prior to installation in the ship.

The MT30 has also been selected for the U.S. Navy’s DDG-1000 Zumwalt class destroyer as well as the UK Royal Navy’s new Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers, and is already powering the U.S. Navy’s Freedom class Littoral Combat Ships.

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