Rolls-Royce signs long-term support contract for Daring-class air defence destroyers
Rolls-Royce has signed a long-term in-service support contract with BAE Systems for the Royal Navy’s Type 45 destroyers. The Type 45 Daring Class destroyers are powered by a pair of Rolls- Royce WR-21 gas turbines.
According to Rolls-Royce, the £20 million ($38.8 million) six year contract is part of an innovative approach to supporting the Type 45 fleet called “Class Output Management.” This arrangement will deliver guaranteed availability of the WR-21 engines to support the ships’ demanding operational schedules, allowing the MoD to focus solely on meeting its operational requirements, the company says.
Beyond the initial six year contract, options are in place for extensions to cover the entire life of the vessels – in excess of 30 years.
“This contract with Rolls-Royce formalises the support arrangements for the WR- 21 gas turbine. We now look forward to working with Rolls-Royce as one of our key suppliers in delivering a highly incentivised and cost effective support provision to one of the world’s most advanced classes of warship,” says Chris Curtis, head of supply chain for UK Ship Support Programmes at BAE Systems, said:
The WR-21 is a highly efficient marine gas turbine, fitted with recuperators that recover energy from the exhaust, which is used to preheat combustion air. Because the gases have been pre-heated, less fuel is required to heat the gases up to the turbine inlet temperature, which in turn reduces fuel consumption by approximately one third.
The modular WR-21 takes advantage of components from current Rolls-Royce RB211 and Trent aviation engines. This ensures a worldwide availability for many parts.
In addition to the gas turbines, Rolls-Royce is supplying a range of mission critical equipment and systems to the six-strong Type 45 fleet. This includes propellers, shaftlines and bearings, stabilizing fins and low voltage electrical systems, Curtis says.
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