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August 6, 2003
Rolls-Royce offers fast sea lift ship design
Rolls-Royce has launched designs for a powerful new naval logistics ship--offering record speeds for transporting high volumes of equipment and spares in support of rapid response forces.
The Fast Naval Sea-Lift Vessel (FNSLV) will carry 2,500 tonnes of cargo for 3,000 nautical miles at 40 knots--almost twice as fast as ships currently capable of carrying this load, says Rolls-Royce.
The low-resistance monohull design, created by Rolls-Royce for fast cargo transport by commercial ships, also allows navies to gain advantages in reduced production times, build costs and structural weight.
Saul Lanyado, Rolls-Royce President - Marine, said: "Military forces are increasingly deploying rapid response forces to distant areas at very short notice. As a result, navies are re-assessing their strategic sea-lift systems. The Fast Naval Sea-Lift Vessel meets demands for high-speed, high-volume transport with a design ready for immediate construction.
"This project is another example of our ability to transfer technology across our commercial and naval businesses to provide innovative, but practical, customer solutions."
Rolls-Royce has 30 years of experience in commercial ship design, including roll on-roll off passenger vessels and bulk carriers and offshore support vessels for the oil and gas industry, where is has won more than 400 orders for its UT-700 series.
The Fast Naval Sea-Lift Vessel offers flexible capabilities depending on range, speed and load requirements. It can achieve a range of up to 3,600 nautical miles, carrying 2,500 tonnes of cargo, at 36 knots, or carry 3,700 tonnes of cargo at 40 knots for 500 nautical miles.
Rolls-Royce will provide a complete Rolls-Royce integrated propulsion system, including three MT30 gas turbines (basedon the Trent aero engine), three Rolls-Royce Kamewa 250 waterjets, the most powerful in the world, and winches, gearboxes, control systems
The MT30 has been selected to power the Integrated Power System (IPS) Engineering Development Model (EDM) for the U.S. Navy's DD(X) multimission destroyer program and has been proposed in all of the propulsion system options for the Royal Navy's two future carriers. The waterjets are already being designed and manufactured for commercial marine projects.
The main structure is high tensile steel, with only the accommodation and bridge decks to be constructed from aluminum alloy--maximizing strength and combat-zone safety, minimising weight, and reducing build costs.
Military features include helicopter landing and airlift facilities, positions for defenxe systems, communication equipment, cargo decks designed for military equipment and flexible loading facilities.
The 36MW MT30 has 80 percent commonality with the Trent 800 aero engine, which has won a 44 percent of the Boeing 777 program, achieving more than four million flying hours since entering service in 1996.
Rolls-Royce says the MT30 is cost-effective and efficient compared to all existing marine gas turbines from 25MW and claims is also ideal for commercial cruise ships, fast ferries, LNG carriers, frigates, destroyers and aircraft carriers requiring high-powered propulsion.
Testing has gone smoothly following the first run of the first development engine on September 3 and the MT30 has already met and exceeded its power rating.
FNSLV technical details are: length 177m; beam 24m; design draft 4.15m; deadweight 4,000 tons; lane meters 1,800m.
The FNSLV design concept is scaleable to meet individual customer requirements.
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