Rolls-Royce has been selected to supply MTU naval generator sets for the US Navy’s (USN’s) new FFG-62 Constellation-class guided missile frigate programme (previously known as FFG[X]).
Under contract to Fincantieri Marinette Marine (FMM), the company will supply an initial shipset of four 20 V 4000 M53B generator sets, each rated at 3,000 kWe at 1,800 rpm. This aggregates to a total power output of 12 MW for propulsion and onboard power supply.
The FFG-62 frigate, an adaptation of the Carlo Bergamini-class FREMM frigate platform already in service with the Italian Navy, is intended to meet the USN’s requirement for a new class of multimission small surface combatant to conduct air warfare, anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare, and electronic warfare and information operations. The USN currently plans to procure a class of 20 ships.
The Constellation-class ships will adopt the same combined diesel-electric and gas (CODLAG) propulsion system arrangement as the Bergamini-class ships. CODLAG offers energy-efficient diesel power generation for propulsion at normal cruising speeds, as well as extremely quiet diesel-electric operation for anti-submarine warfare operations. Gas turbine engagement provides for sprint speeds above 26 kt.
While the GE Marine LM2500+G4 gas turbine selected for the Constellation class is common to that already in operation on the Bergamini-class frigates, FMM’s decision to select the MTU 20V 4000 M53B marks a departure from the FREMM baseline: the Italian ships are fitted with four Isotta Fraschini VL 1716 diesel generators.
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