A Blown Engine Sent the Navy's Second Stealth Destroyer Back to the Shipyard

[rangerrebew]

A Blown Engine Sent the Navy's Second Stealth Destroyer Back to the Shipyard

The Zumwalt-class vessel is having turbine trouble.
By Andrew Moseman   
Jul 20, 2018
 

The U.S. Navy had its fair share of problems when developing the USS Zumwalt, the stealth destroyer that would be the namesake of a new class of vessels (including ammo that was too expensive to fire). Now the second Zumwalt-class ship, the USS Michael Monsoor, had to head back to its shipyard because of engine trouble.

The Michael Monsoor finished its acceptance trials back in February of 2018. But as Military.com now reports, the ship suffered damage to its turbine blades during those trials that will require two of its Rolls Royce-built MT30 marine gas turbine engines to be replaced.

The Navy took "partial delivery" of the stealth destroyer in April, but has known about the problem since February. Last week the vessel went back to its shipyard, the Bath Iron Works in Maine, for the necessary repairs. Rear Adm. William Galinis told USNI News:

https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/navy-ships/a22500502/zumwalt-class-uss-michael-monsoor-engine/

[Fishrrman]

The turbine-based propulsion system ought to be scrapped and replaced with proven diesel technology.

Actually, the entire design of such "stealth" ships looks to be more "for show" and not so much "go".
"Go" as in... firepower.

[thackney]

The turbine-based propulsion system ought to be scrapped and replaced with proven diesel technology.

Actually, the entire design of such "stealth" ships looks to be more "for show" and not so much "go".
"Go" as in... firepower.

Turbines for engines have been used for many decades on navy ships.  Is it the electrical generator and motor you have a problem with?  Those also have been used for decades on ships.

[thackney]

This turbine engine design isn't new.

https://www.naval-technology.com/features/feature1722/
31 MARCH 2008

The MT30 marine turbine gas engine – Rolls-Royce’s very own monster of the sea. When it came onto the market back in 2004 it simply blew the competition out of the water. Raising the benchmark for sheer power, propulsion and dynamic ability, the MT30 delivered an impressive, market leading, power-to-weight ratio that has since made it the master of the sea.

ABS and DNV certified to deliver 36MW flat rated up to 38°C and 40MW at 15°C, it offers excellent performance options for high-power shipboard applications, either in mechanical or electrical generator set applications.

The MT30 was engineered to meet the needs of both high-powered naval ships and commercial vessels. Target naval applications include frigates, destroyers and aircraft carriers.

Since it first rolled off the production line in 2004, the MT30 has been chosen for use in a number of high spec naval applications. In particular, a good relationship has been developed with the US Navy.

In July 2005, the MT30 completed the arduous American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) testing programme required by the US Navy. Carried out on a specially built testbed in Bristol, the programme ran for 1,500 hours and 198 cycles – including running on full power in ambient temperatures of over 38°C....

[Fishrrman]

If turbine is such a proven technology, why has it now failed "two for two" in the stealth destroyers?

Go back to reciprocating [large] diesel engines.
They work.

[Bigun]

If turbine is such a proven technology, why has it now failed "two for two" in the stealth destroyers?

Go back to reciprocating [large] diesel engines.
They work.

I suspect that these failures are related to design problems in the engine support systems rather than the engines themselves.  Could be something as simple as a plumbing problem.

[thackney]

If turbine is such a proven technology, why has it now failed "two for two" in the stealth destroyers?

Go back to reciprocating [large] diesel engines.
They work.

Two for two?

Here, why don't you start with reading this article talking about the 74 different navy ships using Gas Turbine engines, it was written in 1959.

More Horses for Navy's
http://www.navy.mil/ah_online/archpdf/ah195905.pdf

[rangerrebew]

Perhaps Putin "colluded" with his "underling" Trump to sabotage the engines.  Time for another Mueller investigation.

[Wingnut]

I suspect that these failures are related to design problems in the engine support systems rather than the engines themselves.  Could be something as simple as a plumbing problem.

So It pulled into a Shell Station
They said I'd blown a seal
The Capt said, "Fix the damn thing
And leave my private life out of it
Okay pal?"

[thackney]

I suspect that these failures are related to design problems in the engine support systems rather than the engines themselves.  Could be something as simple as a plumbing problem.

Likely something specific to the application on this specific ship.  The Rolls-Royce MT30 has been used by the US Navy and others for a decade on other ships.

https://www.rolls-royce.com/~/media/Files/R/Rolls-Royce/documents/marine-product-finder/rr-mt30-brochure-uk-2016.pdf

2008 marked the entry into service for the MT30 powering the US Navy’s first
littoral combat ship, USS Freedom. The propulsion system features twin MT30
engines and two diesel engines driving waterjets in a sophisticated combined
diesel and gas turbine mechanical arrangement. MT30 has demonstrated
excellent performance in service, powering the ship to speeds in excess of 40kts.
MT30 has been selected to power the FFX-II frigate for the Republic of
Korea Navy and the UK Royal Navy’s innovative Type 26 Global Combat Ship.

MT30 alternator packages will power the Royal Navy’s Queen Elizabeth Class
aircraft carriers and the US Navy’s DDG 1000 advanced destroyers.

In addition, MT30 has been selected for the Italian Navy’s new multi-purpose
amphibious vessel. This new vessel, the Landing Helicopter Dock, will be the
sixth naval platform to feature the MT30, making it the gas turbine of choice
for many of the World’s advanced naval programmes.