GE Aerospace has secured orders to supply eight LM2500 marine gas turbines for two future US Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers, USS Ray Mabus (DDG 147) and USS Robert R. Ingram (DDG 149). Each vessel will use four turbines for propulsion, with both ships belonging to the Flight III configuration, the latest version of the destroyer class. GE supplies propulsion engines for every Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, and 75 vessels of the class were in active service as of April, all powered by LM2500 turbines. The company is continuing to invest in its workforce and manufacturing capacity to meet sustained demand. The US Navy has received more than 700 LM2500 turbines for destroyers, frigates and other surface combatants since the engine entered naval service in 1969. The engine family has evolved through several variants, including the LM2500+ and LM2500+G4, incorporating improvements developed through military and commercial operations. The latest orders follow other naval propulsion contracts secured by GE this year. In September, South Korea selected the company to supply 12 LM2500+G4 turbines for six planned KDDX destroyers, while Austal USA ordered an LM2500+G4 turbine and generator in May for the future USNS Don Walsh, the lead Explorer-class ocean surveillance ship under construction in Mobile, Alabama. The vessel will combine gas-turbine and diesel-generated electricity for propulsion. Separately, GE announced a $1 billion investment across its US facilities and suppliers to expand defence manufacturing and engine production, alongside plans to recruit approximately 5,000 manufacturing and engineering workers.
