The U.S. Navy has awarded a block-buy contract to General Dynamics NASSCO, a subsidiary of General Dynamics, for as many as eight additional John Lewis-class fleet replenishment oilers (T-AO 214 through T-AO 221). The first ship under the contract amounts to $780 million. If all eight ships are delivered, including incentives and other contract options, the total value of the contract will exceed $6.7 billion.
Dave Carver, president of General Dynamics NASSCO, exclaimed: “We are pleased to continue building these ships, with seventeen of the Navy’s twenty-ship program of record now on contract. This will make the T-AO program the longest Navy production series in NASSCO history.” Carver added: “The NASSCO team is honored to continue working with our Navy customer and thankful for their unwavering support.”
The first six ships in this next generation of John Lewis class fleet oilers were contracted in 2016, with the contract modified in 2022 to add three more oilers. The ships are designed to transfer fuel to U. S. Navy ships at sea. With a length of 742 feet, the oilers have a full load displacement of 49,850 tons, capacity to carry 162,000 barrels of oil and significant amounts of dry cargo, and aviation capability while traveling at speeds up to 20 knots.
