Rolls-Royce has successfully carried out light-off of the MT30 gas turbines on the UK Royal Navy’s new aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth, in the Rosyth Dockyard in Scotland.
The MT30, which is the world’s most powerful marine gas turbine in service today, was operated in the presence of UK Secretary of State Defence Michael Fallon.
Weighing a total of 120t, each of the Rolls-Royce 36MW MT30 Gas Turbine Alternators (GTA) are capable of delivering around 50,000hp to propel the 65,000t aircraft carrier at speeds in excess of 25k.
Aircraft Carrier Alliance HMS Queen Elizabeth delivery director Jon Pearson said: "The commissioning of both gas turbines marks an important milestone in the commissioning phase of HMS Queen Elizabeth."
Rolls-Royce Naval president Don Roussinos said: "Rolls-Royce is extremely proud of the successful light-off of the MT30 Main Turbine Generator Sets aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth.
"The MT30 is the most powerful in-service marine gas turbine, and together with the Type 26, it will power the Royal Navy’s future fleet for decades to come."
The MT30 GTAs supply high-voltage power to the four propulsion motors and also power 13 ship service transformers, which distribute low-voltage power to the weapons systems, mission systems equipment, and navigation systems, as well as power to the hotel services required to run the ships.
The MT30 has also been chosen by the US Navy to power the Freedom-class Littoral Combat Ship and the Zumwalt-class multi-mission destroyers, as well as the Republic of Korea Navy’s FFX Batch II frigate.
Image: Michael Fallon, Secretary of State for Defence with Mike Cox, Aircraft Carrier Alliance HMS Queen Elizabeth Head of Commissioning in the Ship’s Control Centre where they witnessed the engines running. Photo: courtesy of Rolls-Royce plc.
