Gulf temperatures reduce WR-21 output
The high temperatures in the Arabian Gulf have resulted in increasing wear and reductions in power generation for the UK Royal Navy’s T45 destroyers when deployed to the region.
Briefing media at the Rolls Royce site in Bristol this week officials said initial experiences of the temperatures, which can top 50 degrees in the peak of summer, ‘tripped out’ the WR-21 gas turbine engines. The problem had since been solved by effectively installing a limiter into the engine management, enabling the crew to take into account climatic conditions when on deployment.
‘We have seen some reduction in power in high
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Defence Notes
-
Taiwan approved for purchase of $11 billion in weapons from US
The US State Department’s approval of a multi-billion-dollar sale of weapons to Taiwan includes tactical mission networks equipment, uncrewed aerial systems, artillery rocket systems and self-propelled howitzers as well as anti-tank guided missiles.
-
Ireland spells out $2.3 billion shopping list in five-year defence spending plan
Ireland’s multi-annual investment in capital defence spending is set to rise from €300m in 2026 to €360m in 2029–2030 with major upgrades across land, air, maritime and cyber domains.
-
Canada to deepen integration of multi-domain capabilities to strengthen its defences
The Canadian Department of National Defence has created new organisations to manage the procurement and integration of all-domain solutions and allocated US$258.33 million to strengthen production capacities.
-
US National Security Strategy prioritises advanced military capabilities and national industry
The 2025 NSS has emphasised investment in the US nuclear and air defence inventory and national industry, but it leaves multiple unanswered questions on how the White House will implement this approach.
-
Canada set to look away from its neighbour and across the Atlantic for partners
While non-EU UK struggles to join the Security Action for Europe initiative, which provides loans for defence programmes, Canada has become the first country outside Europe to get access – and did so for a nominal fee.
-
NATO experiments with solutions to integrate networks, AI and uncrewed systems
During the latest edition of the NATO DiBaX, the alliance tested multiple capabilities to inform requirements for future efforts.