Under the contract stipulated in 1968, Avio commercialises under General Electric license the LM2500 gas turbine in a marine propulsion system version, acting as MSS (Marine System Supplier) toward GE.
Avio is involved on both the design and production of exclusive components for the marine version of the turbine. About 1,000 aeroderivative gas turbines are installed on naval and mercantile ships, and industrial applications. Since signing the contract, Avio has produced over 1,200 kits of parts regarding its own direct responsibility, and has delivered over 100 marine turbines for 29 ships, for the Italian, French, Polish, Venezuelan and Peruvian Navies (≈ 10% market share).
Avio provides final assembly of LM propulsion modules together with the base, supports, joints and flexible pipes, piping and housing. Also based on Customer request, Avio is able to design and produce the support base (Base) and housing (Enclosure) for all models belonging to the LM family. Avio also produced a lighter and more modern Base/Enclosure (TG module) to be used on military applications for the Polish Corvette P621.
Module and auxiliary gas turbine:
The gas turbine is installed in an adequate housing, with specific auxiliary components. The main purpose is the supply of fluids necessary for operating conditions of temperature, flow and pressure required by gas turbine. The secondary purpose is the supply of interfaces to the ship structure, ensuring the respect of environmental requirements regarding noise, dissipation of heat and protection of people.
Avio’s design philosophy, based on cost efficiency and containment of weight, robustness, easy maintenance and assembly, led to the development of dedicated equipment mounted on “skid” for the auxiliaries and GT module in an optimised version, including the gas turbine, supports, piping and cables. Two dedicated versions were developed and are constantly updated, one for commercial applications and one for military applications.
The distinctive characteristics of the military version are:
One of the main auxiliary systems is the "Governor", better known as electronic control system of the turbine, which is entirely designed and produced by Avio and certified by General Electric.
Technical information:
Derivation: TF39/CF6-6 aeronautical engine
Performance in conditions laid down by ISO rules (15°C sea level, UR 60%, diesel with PCI 18,400 BTU/lb – no loss of suction or exhaust):
