US Navy’s Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyer duo to get power boost

December 12, 2025, by Fatima Bahtić

GE Aerospace’s Marine Engines & Systems has received orders to supply eight LM2500 marine gas turbine engines for the US Navy’s next two Flight III Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers: the future USS Intrepid (DDG 145) and USS Robert Kerrey (DDG 146).

Each destroyer is powered by four LM2500 engines. As of January 2025, 74 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers are active, with GE Aerospace’s LM2500 engines being the prime mover for propulsion.

“The LM2500 has been the engine of choice for the U.S. Navy’s destroyer fleet for decades, and we’re proud to continue that legacy as the Navy builds toward its 390-ship goal,” said Mark Musheno, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, GE Aerospace’s Marine Engines & Systems business.

“GE Aerospace is committed to ramping up production capacity to meet the Navy’s expanding fleet requirements while maintaining the quality and reliability that has made the LM2500 the most trusted marine gas turbine in naval service worldwide.”

With these latest orders, GE Aerospace will have delivered engines for all active Arleigh Burke destroyers, representing 296 LM2500 engines across 74 ships in what is considered the US Navy’s “most successful shipbuilding program”.

To date, the US Navy has taken delivery of more than 700 LM2500 gas turbines operating aboard surface combatants such as frigates and destroyers. Since the first LM2500 entered naval service in 1969, GE Aerospace has continuously refined and evolved the engine family through the LM2500+, LM2500+G4, and related variants.

The LM2500 gas turbine is one of the world’s most widely used and trusted aeroderivative propulsion systems, with over 1,500 installations across 39 navies worldwide.

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Equipment & technology

Originally developed from aircraft engine technology, the LM2500 delivers around 33,600 shaft horsepower (25 MW) and features a modular design that integrates a gas generator, power turbine, and advanced control systems, making it suitable for a broad range of naval vessels, from patrol boats and frigates to destroyers and aircraft carriers.