GE Aerospace & HD Hyundai Heavy Industries partner on marine propulsion systems.

According to a PR published by GE Aerospace on April 9, 2024, the US company and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) have officially inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the aim of collaborating on marine propulsion systems for upcoming International Navy Projects. This agreement was formalized at the Sea Air Space expo, an international maritime event held near Washington, DC.
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GE Aerospace’s LM2500+G4 Marine Gas Turbine. (Picture source: GE Aerospace)

The signing ceremony featured key figures from both companies, including Dr. Won ho Joo, Chief Executive of the Naval and Special Ship Business Unit at HD HHI, several senior vice presidents and directors from HD HHI, and GE Aerospace's Vice President of Global Sales and Business Development, Rita Flaherty, along with Kris Shepherd, General Manager of Electric Power.

HD HHI has a long-standing history of over fifty years as a global leader in shipbuilding, working with the Republic of Korea Navy to provide ships and engineering solutions. GE Aerospace is recognized for its leadership in marine gas turbine technology, providing advanced propulsion solutions for the naval industry.

The collaboration detailed in the MOU aims to enhance the performance of the LM2500 family of gas turbines and improve the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capabilities for ships using GE Aerospace's marine gas turbines. This initiative seeks to leverage GE Aerospace's engineering capabilities and HD HHI's shipbuilding expertise to develop efficient vessels.

This collaboration is expected to strengthen the global presence of both companies and contribute to projects such as the Royal Australian Navy frigate project with advanced vessels.

GE Aerospace's marine gas turbines are used by 39 navies worldwide, demonstrating a wide range of power capacities for various missions. These turbines have accumulated over 16 million operational hours in marine environments.

Dr. Won ho Joo remarked on the historical collaboration between the two companies, starting with the ROK Navy's Ulsan-class frigate project in the 1970s. He noted the MOU as a significant step to deepen their partnership and expand their collaboration to international programs.

LM2500+G4 Marine Gas Turbine

The LM2500+G4 Marine Gas Turbine, with an output of 47,370 shp (35,320 kW) and a specific fuel consumption (SFC) of .352 lb/shp-hr (214 g/kW-hr), achieves a heat rate of 6,469 Btu/shp-hr, 8,675 Btu/kWs-hr, and 9,150 kJ/kWs-hr.

It produces an exhaust gas flow of 205 lb/sec (93 kg/sec) at a temperature of 1,020°F (549°C) and operates at a power turbine speed of 3600 rpm. These performance metrics are based on average conditions at 60 Hertz, 59°F, sea level, with 60% relative humidity, and no inlet or exhaust losses.