By Gus G. Manion, The Chicago Times
March 22, 2023
CINCINNATI, OH – GE Aerospace announced that the Republic of Korea’s Navy has selected GE Marine’s LM500 gas turbine engines to power the first four PKX-B Batch-II patrol boats.
GE Aerospace said 32 LM500 gas turbines are aboard 16 PKX-B Batch-I ships with future Batch-II deliveries to include 18 additional ships. GE Aerospace said the gas turbine hardware will be constructed at the company’s Lynn, MA, facility, and delivered to Hanwha Aerospace, a GE marine system partner, who will assemble and test the engines before delivering them to HJ Shipbuilding & Construction for installation.
Two LM500s, each rated at approximately 4.6 MW, will propel one of the fastest and most technologically advanced vessels in the ROKN fleet to a top speed of 40 knots.
“GE has supplied the ROK Navy with 155 marine gas turbines for 91 ships to date, and we are honored that GE marine gas turbines will continue to power their newest patrol boats. We look forward to further strengthening our relationships in-country for this next generation ship,” said Mark Musheno, Vice President, Sales and Marketing for GE Marine in a press release.
The LM500 is based on GE’s TF34/CF34 turbofan aircraft engines and has 90% commonality with the CF34 engine that powers the CRJ100/200 regional jet with more than 14 million hours of operation. GE Aerospace engineers believe the LM500 gas turbine engine is a perfect fit for the PKX-B patrol boats because it incorporates the latest proven design technology and corrosion-resistant materials to provide a mature design with maximum reliability and component life.
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