Designed to support refuelling operations at sea, the 742-foot oilers can carry 162,000 barrels of fuel, dry cargo, and offer aviation capability while reaching speeds up to 20 knots. The first four ships have already been delivered, with five more currently under construction at NASSCO’s San Diego shipyard.
“The T-AO program holds significant importance to the men and women of NASSCO and is one we take great pride in – it’s the longest running Navy production series in NASSCO history,” said Dave Carver, president of General Dynamics NASSCO. “The timely funding for these two ships will act to stabilize the workforce by sustaining an important backlog and prevent future layoffs. Our entire NASSCO team is honored to continue to support the critical national security mission of the U.S. Navy.”
NASSCO, a business unit of General Dynamics, specialises in designing and constructing Navy and commercial vessels, with additional facilities in Norfolk, Mayport, and Bremerton. General Dynamics employs over 110,000 people globally and reported $47.7 billion in revenue in 2024.
