Future USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) achieves successful light-off of first main turbine generator set

Rolls-Royce is proud to announce that the future USS Zumwalt, the first ship of the DDG 1000 multi-mission destroyer class, performed a successful Generator Light-Off of its first Main Turbine Generator Set (MTG) this week. It is now power self-sufficient enabling follow-on systems testing and trials.

Neil Pickard, Rolls-Royce, Program Executive said: “On behalf of the entire DDG 1000 program team, I am very pleased to confirm the successful Light-Off of the first Rolls-Royce MT30 Main Turbine Generator Set this week. The accomplishment of this important milestone is significant as it enables us to progress with more comprehensive and self-sufficient testing of the ship’s Integrated Power System (IPS) over the weeks and months ahead.”

The efficient, quiet and economical IPS on the DDG 1000 multi-mission destroyer generates all the power required for main propulsion, combat systems, sensors and weapons systems.

Don Roussinos, Rolls-Royce, President - Naval said: “Rolls-Royce is extremely proud of the successful Light-Off of the first MT30 Main Turbine Generator Set aboard Zumwalt, and we look forward to similar success with the two Auxiliary Turbine Generator Sets as well as the second MTG over the coming months. Rolls-Royce generator sets are designed, tested and proven to deliver highly survivable power for the ship’s Integrated Power System that provides 100% of the electrical power aboard the Zumwalt class multi-mission destroyers.”

Onboard the Zumwalt are two Rolls-Royce MT30 Main Turbine Generator Sets (MTGs) and two RR4500 Auxiliary Turbine Generator Sets (ATGs) that will provide a total of 78 MW for total ship power - the MTGs provide 35.4 MW each and the ATGs 3.8 MW each.

The MT30 is the most power dense marine gas turbine in the world, selected to power the most modern and advanced vessels in the US Navy, including the Freedom Class Littoral Combat Ship, as well as with the Royal Navy’s Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers, the innovative Type 26 Global Combat Ship, and the Republic of Korea Navy’s FFX Batch II frigate.

1. Rolls-Royce’s vision is to create better power for a changing world via two main business segments, Aerospace and Marine & Industrial Power Systems (MIPS). These business segments address markets with two strong technology platforms, gas turbines and reciprocating engines, for use on land, at sea and in the air.
2. Aerospace comprises Civil Aerospace and Defence Aerospace. MIPS comprises Marine, Nuclear & Energy and Power Systems (RRPS). On 6 May 2014 Rolls-Royce announced it had signed an agreement to sell its Energy gas turbine and compressor business to Siemens for a £785m cash consideration. On completion, expected before the end of December 2014, Rolls-Royce will receive a further £200 million for a 25 year licensing agreement.
3. Rolls-Royce has customers in more than 120 countries, comprising more than 380 airlines and leasing customers, 160 armed forces, 4,000 marine customers, including 70 navies, and 1,600 energy and nuclear customers.
4. Our business is focused on the 4Cs:
   * Customer - placing the customer at the heart of our business
   * Concentration - deciding where to grow and where not to
   *Cost - continually looking to increase efficiency
   * Cash - improving financial performance.
   
5. Annual underlying revenue was £15.5 billion in 2013, around half of which came from the provision of aftermarket services. The firm and announced order book stood at £70.4 billion at 30 June 2014.
6. In 2013, Rolls-Royce invested £1.1 billion on research and development. We also support a global network of 31 University Technology Centres, which position Rolls-Royce engineers at the forefront of scientific research.
7. Rolls-Royce employs over 55,000 people in 45 countries. Over 17,000 of these are engineers.
8. The Group has a strong commitment to apprentice and graduate recruitment and to further developing employee skills. In 2013 we employed 379 graduates and 288 apprentices through our worldwide training programmes. Globally we have over 1,000 Rolls-Royce STEM ambassadors who are actively involved in education programmes and activities; we have set ourselves a target to reach 6 million people through our STEM outreach activities by 2020.