The John Lewis-class ships are double-hulled and constructed to commercial standards and OPNAVINST 9070.1 requirements. They are classed to American Bureau of Shipping steel vessel rules.[3] The ships have capabilities similar to the Henry J. Kaiser-class replenishment oilers and rely on existing technology.[4] The ships can carry 156,000 barrels of oil and have increased dry cargo storage over the Henry J. Kaiser class.[5]
There are stations on both sides of each ship for underway replenishment of fuel and stores, and will have two dry cargo transfer rigs. The John Lewis-class ships have self-defenses against mines and torpedoes, and are equipped with crew-served weapons which are operated by embarked Navy Expeditionary Security Teams for limited self-defense ability against small boat attack.[4]
The ships have space, weight, and power reserved for additional self-defense systems, including close-in weapon systems (CIWS) or SeaRAM, and an anti-torpedo torpedo defense system. Even with additional self-defense systems installed the ships will still require escort if operating in a higher threat environment.[4]
History
In June 2016, General DynamicsNational Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO) was awarded a design and construction contract for six John Lewis-class replenishment oilers.[6] NASSCO began construction on John Lewis in September 2018, and began construction on Harvey Milk in September 2020.[7] In January 2020 the lead ship delivery estimate was delayed from November 2020 until June 2021, due to delays in delivery of gear and flooding of a graving dock.[4]
Naming
The class is named for its lead ship, John Lewis, which is named for American politician and civil rights leader John Lewis. The remaining John Lewis-class oilers will be named after prominent civil rights leaders and activists.[4]
Ships
References
^"Fleet Replenishment Oilers T-AO". www.navy.mil. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
^"Report to Congress on Requirements for the Fleet Replenishment Oiler, T-AO(X)" (PDF). Retrieved 21 September 2020.
^Selected Acquisition Report (SAR) T-AO 205 John Lewis Class Fleet Replenishment Oiler (T-AO 205 Class). Department of Defense. p. 14.
^ a b c d e"Navy John Lewis (TAO-205) Class Oiler Shipbuilding Program: Background and Issues for Congress" (PDF). fas.org. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
^ a b"General Dynamics NASSCO Awarded Contract to Build Next Generation of U.S. Navy Fleet Oilers". nassco.com. 30 June 2016. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
^"General Dynamics NASSCO Begins Construction on First Ship in the T-AO Fleet Oiler Program for U.S. Navy". nassco.com. 20 September 2018. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
^"Navy Accepts Delivery of USNS John Lewis (T-AO 205)". Retrieved 31 July 2022.
^"John Lewis-class replenishment oiler USNS Harvey Milk christened". naval-technology.com. 8 November 2021. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
^ a b"Military Sealift Command christens its newest ship, USNS Robert F. Kennedy". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
^"General Dynamics NASSCO Christens the Third Ship in the T-AO Fleet Oiler Program for the U.S. Navy" (Press release). National Steel and Shipbuilding Company. 21 January 2023. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
^"Fairbanks Morse ships diesel engines for future USNS Earl Warren". navaltoday.com. 16 June 2021. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
^"GD-NASSCO begins construction of USNS Robert F. Kennedy". navalpost.com. 21 May 2021. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
^"Keel Authenticated for Future USNS Robert F. Kennedy (T-AO 208)". 6 December 2022. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
^"Keel Authenticated for Future USNS Lucy Stone". United States Navy (Press release). 8 August 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
^"USNS John Lewis Conducts Builder's Trials". navalnews.com. 9 February 2022. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
^"Keel Authenticated for Future USNS Sojourner Truth". United States Navy (Press release). 21 June 2024. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
^"SECNAV Names Future T-AO USNS Thurgood Marshall, Sponsors for USS Doris Miller". seapowermagazine.org. 25 February 2022. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
^"Navy to name ship after Ginsburg". thehill.com. 1 April 2022. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
^"General Dynamics NASSCO Awarded $736 Million to Build T-AO 213". nassco.com. 23 May 2023. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
^"San Diego's NASSCO will build huge Navy ship to be named in honor of abolitionist Harriet Tubman". sandiegouniontribune.com. 19 September 2023. Retrieved 30 September 2023.(subscription required)
^"SECNAV Del Toro Names Future John Lewis-class Oiler USNS Dolores Huerta (T-AO 214)" (Press release). United States Navy. 18 September 2024. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
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