General Dynamics NASSCO announced today that it has received funding of $856 million for the construction of T-AO 217. The ship is part of NASSCO’s current block buy contract from the U.S. Navy for the construction of up to eight additional John Lewis-class fleet replenishment oilers (T-AO 214 through 221).
“The T-AO program is a cornerstone fixture for the dedicated team at NASSCO, representing the longest-standing Navy production series in our history,” stated Dave Carver, president of General Dynamics NASSCO. “Funding for ship 13 (T-AO 217) maintains a steady workforce and helps mitigate the risk of future layoffs. Our commitment to the Navy is that we will continue to move fast and deliver these important ships to the fleet, while at the same time working to secure timely funding for ships 14-17.”
In 2016, the Navy awarded NASSCO with a contract to design and build the first six ships in the next generation of fleet oilers, the John Lewis-class. In 2022, that contract was modified to add an additional three oilers (T-AO 211 – 213). In 2024 NASSCO received an additional eight-ship contract to build T-AOs 10-17.
Designed to transfer fuel to U.S. Navy ships operating at sea, the 742-feet vessels have a full load displacement of 49,850 tons, capacity to carry 162,000 barrels of oil and significant amounts of dry cargo, as well as providing aviation capability while traveling at speeds up to 20 knots.
The first five ships of the program have been delivered to the U.S. Navy, with five additional T-AOs currently under construction in the NASSCO shipyard.
