New gear for Navy

has been awarded £96m to provide power and propulsion equipment including four gas turbines for HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales, the UK’s new 65,000 tonne aircraft carriers.

Rolls-Royce is supplying the MT30 gas turbine as part of an integrated system that includes the carrier’s propellers and propeller shafts as well as rudders, stabilisers and some electrical systems. The MT30 gas turbines will be assembled and tested in Bristol and delivered between 2011-2013.

John Paterson, Rolls-Royce president - Marine, said: ‘The contract is recognition of our ability to supply a wide range of power and propulsion equipment as part of a fully integrated system.

‘The contract is the third major naval programme to be powered by the MT30, as the engine has already been selected for the Lockheed Martin version of the Littoral Combat Ship and DDG-1000 destroyer, both for the US Navy.’

Rolls-Royce is supplying the equipment as part of a ‘sub-alliance’ team that has overall responsibility for delivery of the entire power and propulsion system. Rolls-Royce is also discussing future equipment support options for the two ships, which are due to go into service in 2014 and 2016.