GE Marine has received an order to supply one LM2500+G4 aeroderivative marine gas turbine to Avio Aero of Turin, Italy, a GE Marine System Supplier. The gas turbine will power the French Navy’s ninth FREMM frigate.
Through Avio Aero, at least 18 LM2500+G4 gas turbines will provide propulsion for the Italian-French FREMM program, which includes six ships for the Italian Navy, 11 ships for the French Navy, and one ship for the Royal Moroccan Navy. Other international navies are considering the FREMM frigate for use in their fleets.
Italy’s first FREMM frigate Bergamini was delivered to the Italian Navy earlier this year by Fincantieri, and commissioning activities have commenced on Italy’s Fasan and Margottini frigates. According to French shipbuilder DCNS, the French Navy’s second FREMM frigate Normandie will begin sea trials later this year and is scheduled for delivery in 2014. Sea trials are currently underway off the French coast for the Royal Moroccan Navy’s FREMM frigate Mohammed VI. The remaining three Italian Navy ships and nine French Navy ships are expected to launch approximately one per year through 2017 and 2022, respectively.
The LM2500+G4 gas turbine was manufactured at GE’s Evendale, Ohio, facility. For the FREMM program, Avio Aero assembles the gas turbine into a propulsion module produced at its Brindisi industrial plant. The propulsion system includes a sophisticated turbine control system entirely developed and manufactured by Avio Aero.
