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Turkish Aerospace Signs MoU with GE Marine on Warship Engines Production

Our Bureau
August 18, 2021


Ada-class corvette

TUSAS Engine Industries Inc. (TEI), a subsidiary of Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with GE Marine to explore opportunities pertaining to production of engines for warships.

The MoU was signed during the ongoing IDEF 2021 exhibition in Istanbul.

“On the second day of IDEF 2021, we signed a MoU wirh GE Marine where we discussed cooperation opportunities regarding the manufacture, installation and repair of the LM2500 and LM500 gas turbines,” TEI posted on its official Twitter account on Wednesday.

The LM2500 engine powers a number of vessels including Turkey’s Ada-class corvettes and Barbaros-class frigates.

LM2500 Engine

The LM2500 marine gas turbine is a simple-cycle, two-shaft engine. The 33,600-shp LM2500 is GE's most popular marine gas turbine, powering more than 400 ships in 33 world navies. Derived from GE's CF6-6 aircraft engines, the LM2500 consists of a gas generator, a power turbine, attached fuel and lube oil pumps, a fuel control and speed governing system, associated inlet and exhaust sections, lube and scavenge systems as well as controls and devices for starting and monitoring engine operation. Possible applications for the LM2500 include patrol boats, corvettes, frigates, destroyers, cruisers, cargo/auxiliary ships and aircraft carriers. The LM2500 is also available as a military generator set.

Signing of TEI-GE MoU on August 18, 2021, during IDEF-2021 exhibition in Turkey's Istanbul.

LM500 Engine

The simple-cycle, two-shaft LM500 offers an aerodynamically coupled power turbine, and is similar in design to GE’s LM2500 gas turbine. The 6,130-shp LM500 is adapted from the CF34 engine and has the highest fuel efficiency of any gas turbine in its output class. The LM500 is basically a CF34 engine without its fan and is very similar in materials. The LM500 incorporates a variable stator compressor driven by an air-cooled, two-stage turbine. The LM500 has the latest in proven design technology and corrosion-resistant materials to provide a mature design with maximum reliability and component life.

This gas turbine is suited for marine applications requiring light weight and fuel economy. The LM500 is ideal for patrol boats and hydrofoils, as well as a military generator set.

GE Marine, TEI To Explore More GE Gas Turbines Production And Maintenance Sites In Turkey

GE Marine and TUSAS Engine Industries, Inc. (TEI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) whereby GE and TEI will explore additional localization efforts relating to the manufacture, assembly and repair of GE’s LM2500 and LM500 gas turbines, the companies announced today at the IDEF 2021 industry exhibition.

Naval News Staff  18 Aug 2021

GE Marine press release

“GE Marine and TEI have partnered in Turkey for many years. With this MOU in place, we hope to discover other opportunities for TEI to play a critical role in supporting the Turkish shipbuilding industry in partnership with GE Marine.”

“Our philosophy is to provide in-country support from build to delivery to lifetime maintenance of GE’s gas turbines.”

Steve Rogers, EMEA Business Development and Sales Director, GE Marine.

Under the MOU, GE and TEI will continue discussions on localization relating to the manufacture, assembly, test, maintenance, inspection, repair, and overhaul of Turkey’s national and exported fleet of marine GE LM2500 family and LM500 gas turbines. The MOU also seeks ways to incorporate TEI into various design processes for potential naval programs.  

“Since 1985, with its partner GE, TEI has been a major player in the defense and aerospace industries by manufacturing high quality aero engine components, rendering preeminent in-service support for military and commercial engines, and producing and servicing its indigenous engines not only for national needs but also global OEMs and end-users.”

“With this signed MOU, TEI will have the opportunity to become an approved and certified OEM service provider to Turkey’s marine engines and exported fleet of LM2500 family and LM500 gas turbines. This collaboration also will enable the localization efforts in design, component manufacturing, assembly and test of such aeroderivative gas turbines and open new doors for utilizing the capability of other local companies and organic depots in the ecosystem.”

Mahmut Faruk Aksit, Ph.D., CEO and Prsident of TEI.

LM2500 for Turkish Naval Forces  

The LM2500 family — the base LM2500 (25.1 MW), LM2500+ (30.2 MW) and the LM2500+G4 (35.3 MW) — all are two spool engines that offer quick start capabilities, easy on-board maintenance, and an outstanding worldwide fleet performance of greater than 99% reliability and more than 98% availability.  

GE has long been a trusted supplier to the Turkish Naval Forces. In fact, all of Turkey’s MILGEM multi-purpose corvettes are powered by a GE LM2500 and two diesel engines in a combined diesel and gas turbine configuration. Additionally, 24 LM2500s operate aboard the Turkish Navy’s Barbaros– and Gabya-class frigates, and two LM2500 engines will power the DIMDEG Fleet Replenishment Ship currently under construction.  

GE Marine’s vast in-country experience makes the LM2500 and LM500 gas turbines ideal for the Turkish Naval Forces’ new TF2000 and Fast Attack ship programs, respectively.  

Lightweight composite module  

Graphic illustration of the future Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Santa Barbara (LCS 32). U.S. Navy illustration by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Paul L.

In 2020, GE delivered its first new lightweight LM2500 composite gas turbine module to Austal USA for the future USS Santa Barbara (LCS 32). GE also celebrated the completion of the first new module for the Arleigh Burke destroyer USS Ted Stevens (DDG 128).  

This new module, which was fully certified by the United States Navy in 2019 after receiving MIL-S-901D shock qualification, offers these benefits:  

• One-piece composite carbon fiber construction eliminates corrosion
• Shock, fire, and smoke tested
• 5,500 lb wall weight reduction versus steel
• Improved sound attenuation; 60% (4 dBA)
• Reduced wall temperature (25°F to 50°F cooler)
• Improved entrance with access doors that are 60% lighter, 6” taller than steel design; large 8”x 18” viewing window; new, large external plenum access panel; and larger, lighter rear panel for easier maintenance access.

Worldwide support 

With a GE gas turbine, navies have worldwide support whether onshore or at sea, and interoperability benefits with other allied ships. GE has delivered gas turbines onboard 646 naval ships serving 40 navies worldwide and provides 95% of the commissioned propulsion gas turbines in the United States Navy fleet. With GE’s split casing compressor and power turbine design, in-situ maintenance is allowed, often making a gas turbine removal unnecessary; navies save millions of dollars a year and weeks/months of ship unavailability.

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