GE LM500 Gas Turbine-Powered PK(X) Patrol Boats Successfully Complete Sea Trials

GE Marine reports successful performance of its LM500 aeroderivative gas turbines during sea trials on the eighth and ninth PK(X) patrol boats in the Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy’s fleet.

Each of the PK(X) patrol boats use LM500 gas turbines, rated at approximately 5,600 shaft horsepower, in a combined diesel and gas turbine arrangement, with diesel engines. The first PK(X) Yoon Young-ha was launched at Hanjin Heavy Industries’ Busan, ROK shipyard. Ships one through nine have been delivered to the ROK Navy.

For this ongoing program, Samsung Techwin locally manufactures select parts of the LM500s, and assembles and tests the completed engines at its Changwon, Korea factory. In addition, GE provides ongoing support to Samsung Techwin, the shipyard, and the ROK Navy throughout installation, sea trials, and commissioning. 

The LM500 is derived from GE’s TF34 turbofan aircraft engine, and has 90% commonality with the CF34 engine that powers the popular CRJ100/200 regional jet with more than 14 million hours of operation.

The simple cycle LM500 is a two-shaft gas turbine consisting of a gas generator, a free power turbine and cold end drive capabilities. The 14-stage axial flow compressor offers a 14.5:1 pressure ratio. Currently there are 67 LM500 gas turbines delivered or on order, accumulating more than 1.8 million operating hours. Of that total, 140,000 hours have been logged in marine service. The high time engine has accumulated nearly 88,000 hours.