waterjets
Rolls-Royce’s Kamewa serves a broad market
An expanded Kamewa range finds references from naval to passenger vessels
A Office
wide spectrum of market opportunities can be targeted by Rolls-Royce with a Kamewa waterjet programme ranging from the FF-series of small models through aluminium A3 to stainless steel S3 designs. The portfolio has extended to the new Axial Mk 1 waterjet with an input power rating of 22MW which will be fitted to future Freedom variants of Littoral Combat Ships from Lockheed Martin for the US Navy. The first four examples will drive USS Milwaukee (LCS5), launched at the Marinette Marine yard in December, at speeds exceeding 40 knots. Extended full- scale sea trials of the jets are planned to benefit subsequent deliveries.
Developed in co-operation with the US
of Naval Research since 2007, the advanced axial flow jet has a throughput almost 500,000 gallons of water per minute to yield more thrust per unit than current commercial
the largest model – the 63A3 – has an input power rating of over 2,500kW.
designs. More cavitation-free performance is also promised for its size and power than any other waterjet. Production is based at Rolls-Royce facilities in the USA. The A3 series waterjet range was strengthened
by new 25A3, 28A3 and 63A3 models, whose features include a mixed-flow fully
stainless
steel pump, an integrated aluminium inlet duct and inboard hydraulics and thrust bearing. Larger vessels can now exploit a modular configuration for easier installation of the jets;
A higher efficiency translates into lower fuel consumption for a given workload; a reduction in size, weight and life-cycle costs is also claimed over rival designs in the same power band. A compact bucket system yields a reversing thrust of 65 per cent of the maximum ahead thrust to enhance manoeuvrability, while superior station keeping at zero speed makes the jets suitable for dynamic positioning operations. New modular interceptor trim tabs can be specified for the largest A3 series models, bolted directly on the unit with their associated hydraulics and control panels for electronics. Easily retrofitted by bolts, the trim system improves acceleration and low speed characteristics as well as facilitating trim angle adjustment. Fast ferries are candidates for Kamewa A3 series aluminium jets, the reference list recently extended by the 44.7m-long Kilimanjaro IV, the seventh of the type designed by Australia’s Incat Crowther for Coastal Fast Ferries of Tanzania. Built in Tasmania by Richardson Devine Marine, the 606-passenger catamaran has a loaded service speed of 35 knots and a maximum speed of 38 knots from four 50A3 waterjets. Wind farm support tonnage represents another valuable business source, typified by orders from the UK’s Seacat Services for three 24m-long aluminium catamarans from South Boats IOW in southern England. Speeds up to 30 knots are yielded by twin 56A3 jets, each driven by a V12-cylinder MTU Series 2000 M72 engine. Similar outfits will serve 26m-long vessels for the same operator. Kamewa 40A3 jets were selected for the 15.2m-long commuter yacht Rhode Island, built by New England Boatworks in the USA with a pair of 1,150kW diesel-driven jets delivering a speed close to 60 knots. Crew transfer boats for offshore installations
Kilimanjaro IV has a maximum speed of 38 knots from four Kamewa 50A3 waterjets (credit: Incat Crowther)
74 I Marine Propulsion I April/May 2014
are well served by waterjet propulsion in terms of speed and manoeuvrability, Rolls- Royce citing the 18m-long Leicon CTV9 as an example. With a crew of two and capacity for 32 passengers, the aluminium catamaran supports oil and gas activities off the coast of Western Australia. Twin 650kW diesel engines driving 36A3 jets delivered a speed of
32.1 knots when loaded with fuel and water and 16 passengers; the contract speed of 26 knots was achieved at 65 per cent maximum continuous rating. Retrofit installations are also facilitated, a recent project calling for the removal of propellers, shafts and rudders from the fast catamaran ferry Trondheimsfjord 1 and replacement with a pair of 50A3 waterjets and associated Rolls-Royce Compact Control system.
The last of a series of six Kamewa-driven Baynunah-class corvettes for the UAE Navy was completed in February by Abu Dhabi Ship Building. A derivative of CMN’s BR70 design – the French yard built the first-of- class – the 71.3m-long deep-V hard-chine steel hull with a relatively shallow draught has an aluminium superstructure. An unusual CODAD propulsion system embraces four V16-cylinder MTU Series 595 TE90 diesel engines (each delivering 4,200kW at 1,800 rpm) arranged to drive three Kamewa waterjets through Renk transmissions. Each outer engine is linked to a 112SII jet via an AUSL gearbox while the central engine pair drives a 125B11 jet via a twin-input/single- output ASL 2 x 115 gearbox. Such a configuration enables the centre jet to be driven at continuous maximum power by two engines or at partial load by just one engine; control of the centre gear unit with one or two engines engaged is fully automatic. A maximum speed of 32 knots-plus is reported with all four engines deployed, and a range of 2,400 nautical miles delivered at the cruising speed of 15 knots. A new high-efficiency waterjet under development by Rolls-Royce is intended for propelling a US Navy unmanned surface craft. The smallest from the designer to date, with a diameter of 100mm, the jet is required to drive the craft quietly on remotely- controlled missions, undertaking intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance roles. The X-class Modular Unmanned Surface Craft Littoral (MUSCL) aims to reduce risk to manned forces as well as taking on tedious and repetitive tasks. Providing thrust to drive the craft at speeds over 25 knots and sustain cruising at 15 knots, the waterjets will form part of an innovative small propulsion system development project funded by the US government and led by Candent Technologies Inc. MP
www.mpropulsion.com
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