MT30: The Heart of Future Integrated Power and Propulsion Systems

Abstract

The MT30 has been developed specifically for 21st century marine propulsion and has now been applied in a wide range of different propulsion system configurations in the US Navy, the UK Royal Navy and the Republic of Korea Navy. Both naval and commercial marine propulsion systems are increasingly seeking more power from fewer prime movers to facilitate lower cost of ownership. In naval systems, the move to partial or full-electric propulsion for larger escorts and the introduction of single boost gas turbines for smaller escorts has allowed a reduction in the number of installed prime movers, while retaining and often enhancing survivability and redundancy. The Rolls-Royce MT30 marine gas turbine can be regarded as an enabling technology in this area to allow a wide variety of propulsion system options to be realised. This paper describes the current trends in Naval propulsion systems with particular focus on the platform design, operational and through-life benefits of the MT30 in the context of different system arrangements. A variety of different systems are covered with a particular focus on hybrid electromechanical and all-electric systems.