GE Aerospace Secures Official Order to Power U.S. Navy's Explorer-Class Ocean Surveillance Ships

Arlington, VA - GE Aerospace's Marine Engines & Systems has secured an official order from Austal USA to supply propulsion power for the U.S. Navy's new Explorer-class ocean surveillance ships, T-AGOS. The purchase agreement covers one LM2500+G4 marine gas turbine engine in a composite enclosure with associated generator by Brush for the lead ship, USNS Don Walsh (T-AGOS 25), currently under construction at Austal USA in Mobile, Alabama.

"This official order represents a significant milestone for both the T-AGOS 25 program and GE Aerospace's continued partnership with the U.S. Navy," said Mark Musheno, VP of Sales and Marketing Marine Engines and Systems at GE Aerospace. "We're honored to provide proven, reliable propulsion technology for the Navy's next generation of ocean surveillance ships. The LM2500's power density, reliability, and fuel efficiency make it an ideal choice for the integrated electric propulsion system that gives these ships the operational flexibility their mission demands."

Integrated Electric Propulsion with Proven Gas Turbine Power

Source : U.S. Navy rendering shown in GAO report 25-107569.

The T-AGOS 25 design employs an Integrated Electric Propulsion (IEP) system featuring four electric motors powered by three diesel generators and one GE LM2500 gas turbine. This hybrid configuration provides operational flexibility, allowing the ship to optimize power generation for various mission profiles-from extended low-speed towing operations (5 knots for 9,000 nautical miles) to rapid transit at sprint speeds when required.

Next-Generation Ocean Surveillance Capability

The Explorer-class represents a significant leap forward in ocean surveillance capabilities, featuring larger, faster vessels designed to support the Navy's anti-submarine warfare operations and the Integrated Undersea Surveillance System (IUSS). At 359 feet long and with a displacement of 9,099 tons, these ships will be the largest and fastest T-AGOS vessels ever operated by the U.S. Navy, capable of sprinting up to 22 knots.

Revolutionary Composite Enclosure Technology

Photo: GE Aerospace's composite enclosure

The LM2500 aboard USNS Don Walsh will be encased in GE Aerospace's revolutionary lightweight composite enclosure, first introduced to the U.S. Navy fleet on USS Santa Barbara (LCS 32) in March 2023. Fully certified by the U.S. Navy with MIL-S-901D Grade A shock qualification, the composite enclosure delivers transformative operational advantages critical for acoustic surveillance missions:

• 50% weight reduction: 2,500 kg (5,500 lbs) lighter than steel predecessors, providing ship designers critical flexibility for increased payload, fuel capacity, or mission systems.
• 60% quieter operation: Dramatically reduced engine room noise compared to original steel enclosures-essential for acoustic surveillance missions.
• Cooler engine room temperatures: Reduced wall temperatures by 25°F to 50°F, with less heat rejected into the engine room and improving crew comfort.
• Enhanced durability: Corrosion-resistant single-piece carbon fiber construction requires less maintenance.
• Ease of engine removal/reinstallation: The gas turbines can be removed and reinstalled through the intake path.
• Better access to the engine: Enhanced crew access to engine inlet and lightweight main door for easy handling; engines can be removed and reinstalled through the inlet path.

With more than 50 years of proven reliability and more than 16 million operational hours across global naval fleets, the LM2500 family continues to set the standard for marine gas turbine propulsion. Powering 95% of the U.S. Navy's surface combatants, this order for the Explorer-class demonstrates the Navy's continued confidence in GE Aerospace's commitment to innovation, reliability, and mission-ready performance.About GE Aerospace Marine Engines & Systems

About GE Aerospace Marine Engines & Systems

GE Aerospace is a global aerospace propulsion, services, and systems leader with an installed base of approximately 50,000 commercial and 30,000 military aircraft engines. With a global team of approximately 57,000 employees building on more than a century of innovation and learning, GE Aerospace is committed to inventing the future of flight, lifting people up, and bringing them home safely. Learn more about how GE Aerospace and its partners are defining flight for today, tomorrow, and the future at www.geaerospace.com.

The Marine Engines & Systems business offers marine propulsion systems to navies seeking battle-ready, power-dense solutions. We are advancing capabilities for warships around the globe through the reliable, expert design of the LM2500 family of marine gas turbines. For more information, visit GEAerospace.com/marine.