GE joins the Navy

Thermodyn, part of GE’s Oil & Gas business, has been selected by DCNS, the European leader in naval defense systems, to provide turbo-generators and propulsion turbines for the French Navy’s new fleet of six Barracuda class nuclear submarines.

The condensing-type turbines are highly customized to address the French Navy’s specific requirements, including very low noise and vibration levels, to provide the submarine with maximum speed and stealth capabilities. Equipment is being manufactured at GE’s turbo-machinery plant in Le Creusot, in France’s Burgundy region – the facility has a special anechoic chamber that tests equipment noise levels prior to delivery.

“We are extremely honored to be a part of this project,” said Claudi Santiago, President and CEO of GE’s Oil & Gas business. “This order also represents a significant recognition of GE’s leadership in the area of acoustic controls for power generation.”

The first set of three turbines will be delivered by Thermodyn between October 2010 and February 2011. The Suffren will be the first of the fleet to launch in 2016.