NASSCO secures $1.7B deal to build pair of John Lewis-class oilers for US Navy

November 11, 2025, by Fatima Bahtić

General Dynamics NASSCO, a business unit of General Dynamics, has been awarded $1.7 billion for the construction of two John Lewis-class oilers (T-AO 215 and T-AO 216) for the U.S. Navy.

T-AO 209 during Sea Trials departing San Diego; Credit: NASSCO

The ships are part of NASSCO’s current multi-ship 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).

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.

NASSCO to build additional US Navy ships under $1.4 billion deal

Vessels

Designed to transfer fuel to U.S. Navy ships operating at sea, the 226-meter 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 four ships of the program have been delivered to the U.S. Navy, with five additional T-AOs currently under construction in the NASSCO shipyard.

US Navy’s 1st John Lewis-class oiler delivered

Vessels

“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.”