FMD to supply US Navy with engine retrofit upgrade kits for its LPD fleet

US-based marine propulsion specialist Fairbanks Morse Defence (FMD) has been contracted by US naval shipbuilder and repairer Ingalls Shipbuilding to provide an FM PC2.5 STC common rail technology retrofit kit, which will upgrade existing PC2.5 STC diesel engines currently installed as the prime movers in the US Navy’s fleet of San Antonio-class of landing platform dock (LPD) vessels.

According to FMD, its common rail fuel injection technology maximises performance through enhanced fuel efficiency and reduced carbon emissions. The high-pressure rail electronic fuel injection system can lead to around 5.5% in fuel savings, through improved fuel atomisation, and with more complete and efficient combustion.

FMD has already integrated common rail technology on engines that have been delivered to Ingalls Shipbuilding for the construction of multiple amphibious assault ships, including USS Richard M. McCool Jnr (LPD 29), USS Harrisburg (LPD 30) and USS Pittsburgh (LPD 31). The main engines currently being assembled for LPD 32, to be named USS Philadelphia, will also feature common rail technology.

Meanwhile, FMD will retrofit the main engines currently installed in LPDs 17 through to 28 with common rail technology. These vessels are:

• USS San Antonio – commission in 2006
• USS New Orleans – commissioned in 2007
• USS Mesa Verde – commissioned in 2007
• USS Green Bay – commissioned in 2009
• USS New York – commissioned in 2009
• USS San Diego – commissioned in 2012
• USS Anchorage – commissioned in 2013
• USS Arlington – commissioned in 2013
• USS Somerset – commissioned in 2013
• USS John P. Murtha – commissioned in 2016
• USS Portland – commissioned in 2017
• USS Fort Lauderdale – commissioned in 2022

All 25,300 ton full load displacement US Navy LPDs currently in service are powered by four sequentially turbocharged FM PC2.5STC diesel engines.