John Lewis-class replenishment oiler

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Image of the USS John Lewis (TAO-205).jpg
Artist rendering of USNS John Lewis (T-AO-205)
Class overview
NameJohn Lewis class
BuildersGeneral Dynamics National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO)
Preceded by Henry J. Kaiser class
Planned20
Building2
General characteristics
TypeFleet replenishment oiler
Displacement49,850 tons full load
Length746 ft (227.4 m)
Beam106 ft 5 in (32.4 m)
Draft33.5 ft (10.2 m) maximum
PropulsionTwo medium-speed Fairbanks-Morse MAN 12V48/60CR diesel engines, two shafts, propellers
Speed20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph)
Endurance6,147 nmi (11,384 km; 7,074 mi)
Complement125 total
Electronic warfare
& decoys		AN/SLQ-25A Nixie torpedo countermeasures
Armament
  • Multiple .50 caliber machine guns
  • Space, weight, and power reservations for Phalanx close-in weapons systems or SeaRAM
Aviation facilitiesHelicopter flight deck
Notes
  • 5 refueling stations
  • 2 dry cargo transfer rigs

The John Lewis class is a class of fleet replenishment oilers which began construction in September 2018.[1] The class will comprise twenty oilers which will be operated by Military Sealift Command to provide underway replenishment of fuel and limited amounts of dry cargo to United States Navy Carrier Strike Groups, Amphibious ready groups, and other surface forces to allow them to operate worldwide.[2]

Design[]

The John Lewis-class ships are double-hulled and constructed to commercial standards and OPNAVINST 9070.1 requirements. They 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 limited means of self-defense when delivered, including defenses against and torpedoes, and will be equipped with crew-served weapons which will be operated by embarked Navy Expeditionary Security Teams for limited self-defense ability against small boat attack. 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[]

On June 30, 2016, General Dynamics National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO) was awarded detailed design and construction for six John Lewis-class replenishment oilers.[6] NASSCO began construction on John Lewis on September 20, 2018, and began construction on Harvey Milk on September 3, 2020.[7] In January 2020 it was announced the lead ship delivery estimate had been 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 unit, USNS John Lewis, which in turn is named for the American politician and civil rights leader John Lewis. The remaining John Lewis-class oilers will be named after prominent civil rights activists and leaders.[4]

Ships[]

Ship Hull. No. Status
John Lewis T-AO-205 Christened July 17, 2021
Harvey Milk T-AO-206 Christened November 6, 2021
Earl Warren T-AO-207 Under construction
Robert F. Kennedy T-AO-208 Under construction
Lucy Stone T-AO-209 On order
Sojourner Truth T-AO-210 On order

References[]

  1. ^ "Fleet Replenishment Oilers T-AO". www.navy.mil. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  2. ^ "Report to Congress on Requirements for the Fleet Replenishment Oiler, T-AO(X)" (PDF). Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  3. ^ Selected Acquisition Report (SAR) T-AO 205 John Lewis Class Fleet Replenishment Oiler (T-AO 205 Class). Department of Defense. p. 14.
  4. ^ a b c d "Navy John Lewis (TAO-205) Class Oiler Shipbuilding Program: Background and Issues for Congress" (PDF). fas.org. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  5. ^ "John Lewis-Class (TAO-205) Replenishment Oiler Ships". naval-technology.com. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  6. ^ "General Dynamics NASSCO Awarded Contract to Build Next Generation of U.S. Navy Fleet Oilers". nassco.com. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  7. ^ "General Dynamics NASSCO Begins Construction on First Ship in the T-AO Fleet Oiler Program for U.S. Navy". nassco.com. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
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