Feature 7 | Surface Ship propulSion
IFEP confers numerous advantages on
CVF
The UK Royal Navy’s QE class aircraft carriers will be powered by an
integrated full electric propulsion (IFEP) architecture, with a system design
that incorporates and builds upon many of the successful features installed
on the Type 45 destroyer.
R
olls-Royce, which supplied a
range of equipment, including
the WR-21 gas turbines for the
Daring class – which was the world’s first
major surface warship to adopt IFEP
– is also playing a key role in the QE
class programme, supplying two 36MW
MT30 gas turbines for each carrier and
integrating them with alternators from
sub-alliance partner Converteam to make
up the gas turbine alternator sets.
The two powerful gas turbine sets
combine with four smaller diesel
generators to generate 109MW to satisfy
the main propulsion demand while at the
same time meeting ship-wide low-voltage
requirements.
The technologically advanced
propulsion system is highly efficient, and
the ships have 75% more unrefuelled range
compared to the Royal Navy’s Invincible ifep will confer 75% more unfuelled range on the Qe class compared to the royal navy’s
class carriers, while still delivering a top invincible class carriers.
speed in excess of 25knots.
The two MT30 alternator packages
are positioned longitudinally directly with the Aircraft Carrier Alliance (ACA) systems, the auxiliary systems and all
below the flight deck under each ‘island’, to ensure compatibility with the hull and domestic services. The high-voltage
relatively high up in the ship, making propulsion system. (HV) electrical supply is transformed
removal easier and reducing the need The low-voltage (LV) electrical down to LV through 13 ship service
for large downtakes and exhaust ducting system, also part of the Rolls-Royce transformers, distributing about 30MW
deep in the hull. Their high position and supply, provides power to the mission of power, almost six times that of the
IFEP architecture also makes the power
and propulsion system less vulnerable by
The two MT30
dispersing the prime movers throughout
alternator packages
the ship.
are positioned
A tailored twin propeller shaft
longitudinally in the
arrangement with Kamewa five-bladed
cVf, directly below
adjustable bolted propellers, over 6m in
the flight deck
diameter, and twisted rudders has been
under each island,
designed to achieve high ship speeds
making removal
whilst meeting the Royal Navy’s strict
easier and reducing
requirements on vibration and cavitation.
the need for large
The design was developed by a team at
downtakes and
the Rolls-Royce hydrodynamic research
exhaust ducting.
centre in Sweden, in close consultation
38 Warship Technology March 2010
WT_Mar-2010_p38-39.indd 38 23/02/2010 16:02:35
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