Rolls-Royce has been awarded a marine naval surface ship contract to supply gas turbines and waterjets for ten US Navy littoral combat ships (LCS).

Under the contract, each LCS will be equipped with two Rolls-Royce 36MG MT30 marine gas turbines, powering four large waterjets to reach speeds in excess of 40kt.

The MT30 turbine and waterjets combine to make the LCS highly manoeuvrable, capable of operating in shallow waters, and able to stop and accelerate quickly.

The company is also supplying propulsion equipment including shaftlines, propulsion system software and bearings on the first two Lockheed-designed LCS.

The MT30 has also been selected for the UK Royal Navy’s new Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers and the US Navy’s DDG-1000 Zumwalt Class destroyer programme.