Rolls-Royce to provide Republic of Korea Navy with Controllable Pitch Propeller

Tuesday, 3 February 2004

Rolls-Royce Naval Marine Inc., in conjunction with Doosan Heavy Industries, has been selected to supply controllable pitch propellers for the Republic of Korea Navy's new KDX III Destroyer program

Six propellers and associated equipment and services, worth more than $8M, will be provided for the three-ship program to US military specification.

Patrick Marolda, President - Rolls-Royce Naval Marine, Inc., said: "We are delighted to have been selected by the Korean Navy for its latest Destroyer and are pleased with our continued collaboration with Doosan Heavy Industries. This award confirms the excellence of our products and our long standing relationship with the Korean Navy."

Rolls-Royce Naval Marine Inc. will perform all engineering design and model testing at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Maryland, and manufacture hydraulic systems and oil distribution box components. Doosan Heavy Industries will be the main contractor for local supply of the controllable pitch propeller and shafting system under a licensing agreement.

Two 17.7 foot five-bladed low-noise controllable pitch propellers will be able to absorb 59,000 horsepower provided by the COGAG (combined gas turbine and gas turbine) propulsion plant.

Rolls-Royce has enjoyed a successful partnership with Doosan Heavy Industries over the past 15 years and has previously supplied propellers on Korean programs such as Korean AOE, ARS, MLS, KDX I and KDX II.

The components will be designed to meet MIL-S-901D Grade A, and the US Navy's specifications for controllable pitch propellers. Rolls-Royce Naval Marine Inc. in Walpole, Massachusetts, specializes in equipment that meets these standards.

The MIL-S-901D specification mandates shock testing for shipboard machinery, equipment, systems, and structures. These requirements verify the ability of shipboard installations to withstand shock loads incurred during wartime service due to the effects of nuclear or conventional weapons. Equipment essential to the safety and continued combat capability of the vessel are designated Grade A. The equipment receives this designation after passing heavyweight shock testing. This standard is one of the most rigorous shock test requirements in the world.