Rolls-Royce MT30 completes DNV Type Test

Wednesday, 10 December 2003

Walpole, MA - The Rolls-Royce MT30 marine gas turbine engine has completed the DNV (Det Norske Veritas) Type Test required to certify the engine at 36MW to DNV's rules for classification of High Speed, Light Craft and Naval Surface Vessels. This test was completed on schedule and represents a significant milestone in the certification sequence of the MT30.

Rolls-Royce will provide DNV with the remaining certification reports before year end and expects to receive DNV Design Approval by the end of January. The Rolls-Royce test team is currently preparing to initiate an ABS (American Bureau of Shipping) certification test. The low risk ABS test running will satisfy all USN requirements and will be completed in mid 2004.

"This milestone schedule highlights the dedication and quality of the MT30 and the engineering team. We are currently on schedule to deliver this leading-edge engine technology for the US Navy LCS and DD(X) EDM programs, and the ABS test will allow us to proceed to full production for the U.S. market place. " said Patrick J. Marolda, President Rolls-Royce Naval Marine Inc.

The MT30 gas turbine is used in the generator set to be provided to Northrop Grumman in early 2005. The generator set will have more than 75 per cent US content, which includes the design, manufacture, assembly and testing of the set.

The 36MW MT30 has 80 per cent commonality with the Trent 800 aero engine, which has won a market-leading 44 percent of the Boeing 777 program achieving more than two million flying hours since entering service in 1996.

The MT30 is cost-effective and efficient compared to existing marine gas turbines operating over 25MW. It is available for service in either mechanical or electrical genset applications for both commercial and naval marine markets.

Offering improved power density and reliability, it is ideal for frigates, destroyers and aircraft carriers requiring high-powered propulsion. It is also ideal for cruise ships and fast ferries. Since a single MT30 can replace two conventional boost turbines, it saves space and reduces operating and ownership costs while giving propulsion system designers greater flexibility.

The MT30 is the eleventh engine type Rolls-Royce has derived from core aero engine technology. Its modular construction, a key element of all Rolls-Royce gas turbine technology, combines reliability with maintainability.