Rolls-Royce MT30 turbine for Japan’s new frigate
The Rolls-Royce MT30 marine gas turbine has been selected to power a new class of frigates for the Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF), the company announced on 21 May.
The MT30 has a twin-spool, high-pressure ratio gas generator with free power turbine. It can be configured either in mechanical, electrical or hybrid drive configurations.
Sam Cameron, senior vice president-defence, Rolls-Royce, said: ‘The increased demand for power by the world’s navies is a clear trend and for Japan we will deliver a power rating in excess of 40 megawatts, the highest so far for this gas turbine unrestricted by global climate conditions.
‘The power and performance of this gas turbine is providing shipbuilders and system designers with new options, choices and the ability to futureproof their latest naval platforms, combined with the additional benefits of through-life power retention with ultra-low on-board maintenance requirements.’
Construction of the first of the 30FFM class frigates will begin in 2019 and its entry into service is expected in 2022.
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