Makin Island christened

The United States Navy recently christened the Makin Island (LHD 8) amphibious assault ship in Pascagoula, Miss. at Northrop Grumman Ship Systems. The Makin Island, which is powered by two GE LM2500+ gas turbines coupled with GE main reduction gears, was design and built by Northrop Grumman.

According to Karl Matson, general manager of GE ? Marine, “This is a milestone project for both GE and the U.S. Navy. This marks the first military marine application of our LM2500+, paving the way for the use of this gas turbine for a variety of future domestic and international naval programs. The Makin Island also is the U.S. Navy?s first all electric ship.”

The ship?s hybrid electric drive system has electric motors that provide propulsion power at low loitering speeds. The previous seven LHD ships, also designed and built by Northrop Grumman, were powered by steam propulsion systems. Makin Island is the eighth and final ship in the Wasp-class and is designed to transport and land a Marine Expeditionary Unit of 1,900 Marines ashore by helicopter, landing craft and amphibious assault vehicles. Its secondary missions include maintaining sea control, command and control, and mission support.

The LM2500+ gas turbines were manufactured at GE?s Evendale, Ohio facility. The main reduction gears were built at GE?s state-of-art gear manufacturing plant in Lynn, Mass.