Rolls-Royce to deliver MTU Series 4000 gensets for Type 45 propulsion overhaul

Rolls-Royce has been contracted to supply 18 of its MTU Series 4000 diesel generator sets which will be used to improve the reliability of Royal Navy’s Type 45 destroyer.

The contract was awarded by BAE Systems who is the main contractor on the Power Improvement Project (PIP) which is being undertaken to increase the resilience of the power and propulsion system in all six Type 45 destroyers.

The two existing diesel gensets are to be replaced by three MTU gensets per vessel. The three MTU gensets will complement two existing Rolls-Royce WR21 gas turbines also supplying power to the electric propulsion system.

PIP is expected to resolve the problems caused by gas turbines which, once they stopped providing enough power to the engines, caused the ship’s generators to fallout leaving the ships drifting in the waters with no power at all. The problems were particularly prominent in warmer waters as intercooler units on the gas turbines underwent design changes which, subsequently, were not fully tested. The systems worked well in North Sea waters but did not perform well in warmer waters of the Persian Gulf.

Knut Müller, Head of MTU’s Marine & Government Business, said: “We are delighted to have convinced our partners BAE Systems and the Royal Navy once again of the outstanding merits of our Series 4000 gensets and engines. I am convinced the Royal Navy will benefit from this long-term – also thanks to the simplified logistics when it comes to maintaining our engines.”