Rolls-Royce has announced delivery of the twin fixed pitch propellers to Bath Iron Works for installation on the US Navy’s most modern surface combatant, the future USS Zumwalt, the first ship of the DDG 1000 multi-mission destroyer class. The provision of the twin fixed pitch propellers marks the completion of the power and propulsion system delivery from Rolls-Royce, following the MT30 main turbine generator sets and the RR4500 auxiliary turbine generator sets, which have already been installed and tested.

The five-bladed nickel aluminium bronze propellers measure over 18 feet in diameter and weigh nearly 60,000 pounds apiece. The propellers were cast and machined at theRolls-Royce facility in Pascagoula, Mississippi. The production of the unique pattern, designed by NAVSEA, began over six years ago, with the first set of finished propellers being delivered by Rolls-Royce from Pascagoula to Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine in May 2015.

“The delivery and installation of these highly engineered propellers is a real milestone in the build of this amazing ship, as the Navy will now be able to commence further systems testing, followed by sea trials in the near future,” remarked Don Roussinos, President – Naval, Rolls-Royce.

In addition to the twin fixed pitch propellers onboard the Zumwalt are two Rolls-Royce MT30 Main Turbine Generator Sets (MTGs) and two RR4500 Auxiliary Turbine Generator Sets (ATGs) that will provide a total of 78 MW for total ship power – the MTGs provide 35.4 MW each and the ATGs 3.9 MW each. The MT30 MTGs are produced in England, and the RR4500 ATGs are produced in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The MT30 is the most power dense marine gas turbine in the world, selected to power the most modern and advanced vessels in the US Navy, including the Freedom Class Littoral Combat Ship, as well as with the Royal Navy’s Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers and innovative Type 26 Global Combat Ship, and the Republic of Korea Navy’s FFX Batch II frigate.