GE Vernova to power Royal Navy’s FSS ships

GE Vernova’s Power Conversion business in the UK has been chosen by Team Resolute to supply advanced hybrid propulsion technology for three Fleet Solid Support (FSS) ships for the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD).

Team Resolute is a consortium created by Spanish shipbuilder and defense company Navantia, shipbuilder Harland & Wolff and naval architects BMT to deliver the FSS program, for which Navantia UK, the UK subsidiary of Navantia, is the prime contractor.

The 216-meter-long ships for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) will be designed with an emphasis on minimizing carbon emissions. Equipped with energy-efficient technologies to decrease power consumption, they will be adaptable to use low-carbon, non-fossil fuels and future sustainable energy sources.

GE Vernova’s hybrid-electric propulsion technology will play a pivotal role in realizing these objectives by helping to optimize energy efficiency, power utilization, and power availability for the UK’s new ship class and their multirole missions, according to the company.

Under the contract, GE Vernova will design and manufacture SeaPulse Active Front-End (AFE) power converters and Power Take-Off/Power Take-In (PTI/PTO) hybrid electric induction motor generators with resilient shock mounts and flexible coupling and hosing.

The scope of GE Vernova’s contract also includes commissioning, testing, sea trials, certification, and integrated logistics support (ILS) services to help ensure the seamless integration of the hybrid-electric propulsion technology into the FSS ships.

“The selection of suppliers for FSS ships’ key equipment, such as propulsion technology, is a clear indication that the program is well on track and is aligned with the timetable required by the UK MoD”, said Juan de la Cueva, CEO of Navantia UK.

“Navantia UK and our partners in the Team Resolute consortium for FSS are proud to partner with GE Vernova, a company which is focused on cutting-edge technologies to improve efficiency and decarbonization, as well as supporting UK advanced engineering skills,” he added.

“GE Vernova’s rich background in naval engineering, exemplified by its contributions to the Royal Fleet Auxiliary’s Tide Class fleet tankers, establishes the business as a reliable partner for this important program”, said Andy Cooper, managing director of GE Vernova’s Power Conversion business, UK. 

Delivery of GE Vernova’s electric propulsion equipment for the first FSS ship is scheduled for 2025, with the second and third vessels planned for 2026 and 2027.