General Dynamics NASSCO, a subsidiary of General Dynamics has been awarded $600 million in US Navy contract modifications for long-lead-time material to support the construction of the seventh and eighth ships in the John Lewis-class fleet oiler (T-AO) program, as well as the sixth ship in the Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB) program.
The contract modifications for long-lead-time material provide $500 million for T-AO 211 and T-AO 212, and $100 million for ESB 8.
Construction is scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2023 and continue into 2027, providing the opportunity to sustain and grow the workforce along San Diego’s working waterfront.
“NASSCO shipbuilders are honored to build T-AO 211, T-AO 212 and ESB 8,” said Dave Carver , president of General Dynamics NASSCO.
“The NASSCO team is excited to work with our Navy partners to ensure the success of both historic programs which are critical in supporting the Navy’s forward presence.”
In 2011, the US Navy awarded NASSCO with a contract to design and build the first two ships in the newly created Mobile Landing Platform (MLP) program, the USNS Montford Point and USNS John Glenn.
The program evolved, adding the USS Lewis B. Puller, USS Hershel “Woody” Williams and the USS Miguel Keith, USNS John L. Canley and the USNS Robert E. Simanek (ESB 7), configured and renamed as ESBs.
ESBs are highly flexible platforms designed to support multiple maritime-based missions, including air mine counter measures (AMCM), special operations forces (SOF) and limited crisis response.
Acting as a mobile sea base, the 239-meter ship has a 4,830 square meter flight deck to support MH-53, MH-60, MV-22 tilt-rotor and H1 aircraft operations.
Following the delivery of the first five ships to the US Navy, the sixth ship, the USNS John L. Canley, was christened on 25 June.
The USNS Robert E. Simanek (ESB 7), the seventh ship, is currently under construction.
In 2016, the US 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 (T-AO 205), previously known as the TAO(X).
Designed to transfer fuel to US Navy carrier strike group ships operating at sea, the 742-feet vessels have a full load displacement of 49,850 tons, with the capacity to carry 157,000 barrels of oil, a significant dry cargo capacity, aviation capability and up to a speed of 20 knots.
The first ship, the future USNS John Lewis (T-AO 205), is scheduled for delivery later this year. The ship conducted acceptance trials in May this year.
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The future USNS Harvey Milk (T-AO 206), the future USNS Earl Warren (T-AO 207), and the future USNS Robert F. Kennedy (T-AO 208), are currently under construction.