Hybrid GE Gas Turbine System Will Propel Italian Navy’s First Multipurpose Offshore Patrol Ship

EVENDALE,
Ohio — GE Marine’s LM2500+G4 gas turbine will soon power the Italian Navy’s new
Paolo Thaon di Revel Pattugliatore Polivalente d’Altura (PPA) multipurpose
offshore patrol ship, the company said July 15.

This hybrid-electric
powered ship was launched at a June 15 ceremony at the Fincantieri Shipyard in
Muggiano-La Spezia, Italy, and will be delivered to the Italian navy in 2021.

“A total
of seven PPA ships will be built by Fincantieri by 2026, and GE has a contract
to provide seven LM2500+G4 gas turbines,” said Mike Reale, acting vice president
and general manager at GE Marine.

“The
LM2500+G4, with an ISO rating of 35.3 MW and United States Navy rating of 30.3
MW, has found success in the naval market thanks to its selection to power 20
French and Italian FREMM ships and the seven Italian PPA’s. There is interest
in the U.S. and abroad in propulsion and generator set applications that rely
on the LM2500+G4’s best-in-class power density that is improved with the use of
GE’s new fully-shock-qualified, lightweight composite gas turbine module.”

In
addition, GE’s Power Conversion business provides the hybrid’s electrification
system, including shock-proof MV3000 drives and motors, electrical system
integration, energy-efficient PTO/PTI (power take-off/in) and shore power
connection functionality. Integration of the electric propulsion system is
carried out in support of and in cooperation with Fincantieri. Rounding out the
“GE Store” approach for this Italian navy project, Avio Aero, a GE Aviation
business headquartered in Italy, designed the gas turbine packages.

The PPA
patrol ship will serve multiple functions from patrol with sea rescue capacity
to civil protection operations. It is 133 meters long and can carry 90 crew
members with additional accommodations for up to 171 members. The ship’s
flexible hybrid propulsion plant features small gearbox-mounted motors for low
speed operations, two propulsion diesels for mid-speed service and the
LM2500+G4 gas turbine to reach more than 31 knots.

The PPA
program continues a long tradition of LM2500-powered combatants in the Italian navy
with the selection of the LM2500+G4. Starting in 1977, the Italian navy and
Fincantieri were early adopters of GE’s LM2500 gas turbine for the Lupo-, Maestrale-,
Artigliere- and Horizon-class frigates, the De la Pen-class destroyers, and the
aircraft carriers Garibaldi and Cavour (equipped with GE gears). In 2004, GE’s
LM2500+G4 gas turbine was chosen to power 10 FREMM multipurpose frigates for
the Italian navy.  

The
LM2500+G4 gas turbines for the PPA program will be built in Evendale; Avio Aero
will manufacture the LM2500+G4 turbine control system at its facility in
Brindisi; and GE’s Power Conversion business will manufacture the drives.