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After eight years of development, the much anticipated MTU 12V4000U83 submarine engine will be on show at PACIFIC 2017, with an Australian company set to showcase its capabilities for potential inclusion on the Future Submarines.
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Penske Power Systems will exhibit MTU's next generation submarine charging unit engines alongside a Sauer series 5000 compressor, which is custom designed for a range of naval applications including submarines, combat ships, frigates and destroyers.
"We are delighted to be debuting the MTU series 4000 submarine variant, the U83, after eight years of development commencing in 2009, and thousands of hours of testing, noting that the engine that will be on display at PACIFIC is an actual U83 taken directly off the MTU production line," said Roger Gleeson, national manager, defence programmes group, Penske Power Systems.
"Due to reduced fuel consumption, the U83 has an extended range with increased availability via a 22-year time before overhaul (TBO) interval, with ease of maintenance being a design feature."
Gleeson said this latest engine showcases the company's focus on the development of submarine and vessel engine designs.
"With more than 750 MTU submarine engines delivered to 20 navies over the past 50 years, this engine reinforces MTU’s focus and capability for conventional submarine propulsion system design and evolution for the life of the next generation of submarines to come," he said.
The 12V4000U83 boasts greater power (up to 1,500 kW) than its 16V396SE84 predecessor while being IMO Tier II compliant and compact. The global unveiling of the U83 will take place at 9:10am on Tuesday, 3 October at stand 4C2.
Damen global procurement director Jacob Biemond visited Penske's engine overhaul workshop earlier this year and said he saw great opportunity for Penske, as the MTU diesel and gas engines and power systems partner in Australia, to build the engines that Damen has proposed in their SEA 1180 OPV bid.
"When you already have the skills required to disassemble and overhaul an engine, like Penske is doing, assembling a brand new engine is well within capacity," Biemond said.
"I was very impressed by the efficient setup of Penske’s testing facility and the professionalism of all their operations."
Biemond said he was looking to open discussions with Damen’s headquarters in the Netherlands with a view of exploring how Penske could play an increased role in the construction of the engines for the SEA 1180 vessels in Australia.
The company was also revealed as the successful recipient of a $78 million contract to deliver diesel maintenance and support services for the Australian Defence Force in April this year.
The contract, announced by Minister for Defence Industry Christopher Pyne, will see Penske Power Systems support diesel equipment and auxiliary systems for both the Army and Navy.
Penske, which employs over 700 people across Australia and represents some of the leading global brands in the diesel and gas engine industry, works closely with the defence sector to provide customised propulsion and power generation solutions – as well as life-of-type logistic support for defence combatants.
