MAN Energy Solutions to power UK's new Fleet Solid Support ships

A concept graphic of one of the Royal Navy's future Fleet Solid Support ships. (UK MoD)

MAN Energy Solutions has been selected by Navantia UK to provide the main engines, generator sets, and propellers for three new Fleet Solid Support (FSS) ships on order for the UK Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA).

Navantia UK – as lead for the Team Resolute industry consortium also comprising BMT and Harland & Wolff – was awarded a GBP1.6 billion (USD2.1 billion) prime contract in January 2023 to deliver the FSS programme. The first of the three ships is due to enter service with the RFA in 2031.

The FSS propulsion system design, which has been developed by BMT, is adopting a hybrid combined diesel-electric or diesel arrangement comprising four main diesel engines driving twin shafts, plus two hybrid electrical motors/generators. A motor on each shaft will be used to propel the ship at low-medium speeds in power take-in (PTI) mode (the diesel generators supplying power to the motors and the ship). At higher speeds, the main diesel engines drive the shafts through reduction gearboxes. In this mode, the motor on the shaft can be switched to become a generator (power take-off [PTO]) and used to supply the ship's hotel load.

According to MAN Energy Solutions, the company's scope of supply will cover a total of 12 V32/44CR medium-speed diesel engines for main propulsion (four for each ship) and six L32/44CR generator sets (two per vessel) plus MAN selective catalytic reduction for each engine. The package also includes three twin-screw Alpha-controllable pitch propellers and plant auxiliaries.