Rolls-Royce MT30 to power 30 Japanese frigates

Rolls-Royce's MT30 gas turbines to power the fleet of 30 CCM-class frigates of the Japan Maritime Self Defence Force. Construction work on the first of the 30 planned frigates is slated to commence next year and the vessel is expected to enter service with the JMSDF around 2022.

Rolls-Royce senior vice-president Sam Cameron said: “The MT30 is the world’s most power-dense marine gas turbine in service today, a key feature for naval ships where high power in minimum space, whilst meeting the operational power demands of the future, is essential.

“The increased demand for power by the world’s navies is a clear trend and for Japan we will deliver a power rating in excess of 40MW, the highest so far for this gas turbine unrestricted by global climate conditions.

Rolls-Royce has designed the MT30 gas turbine to feature nearly 50% fewer parts than other aero-derived gas turbines of the same class in an effort to minimise maintenance costs, claims the company.

The equipment features a twin-spool, high-pressure-ratio gas generator with a free power turbine.

It is also able to maintain operating efficiency down to power levels of 25MW.

In addition, MT30 is capable of being configured in either mechanical, electrical or hybrid drive configurations.

The gas turbine first entered service in 2008 on-board the US Navy’s first-of-class littoral combat ship (LCS), USS Freedom.