NASSCO is currently under contract to build 17 ships within the Navy’s 20-ship programme of record and has delivered five vessels to date. Five additional T-AO ships are currently under construction at the company’s San Diego shipyard.
“The T-AO program is a cornerstone fixture for the dedicated team at NASSCO, representing the longest-standing Navy production series in our history,” said 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,” Carver added. “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.”
The Navy first awarded NASSCO a contract in 2016 to design and build the first six ships of the John Lewis class. That agreement was modified in 2022 to add three more oilers, T-AO 211 through T-AO 213.
In 2024, NASSCO received an additional eight-ship contract covering T-AO 214 through T-AO 221. The latest funding supports construction of the 13th ship in the programme.
The John Lewis-class oilers are designed to transfer fuel to U.S. Navy ships operating at sea. The 742-foot vessels have a full-load displacement of 49,850 tons and can carry 162,000 barrels of oil.
The ships can also transport significant quantities of dry cargo and provide aviation capability while operating at speeds of up to 20 knots. The programme supports the Navy’s ability to sustain deployed forces during extended maritime operations
