The Navy accepted delivery of the second new John Lewis-class of fleet replenishment oilers, the USNS
Harvey Milk (T-AO 206), from builder General Dynamics’ [GD] National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO) on July 11.
“We are excited to deliver the 2nd of class T-AO, USNS Harvey Milk, and expand the Navy’s capacity and capability to provide a fuel pipeline at sea. The fleet and her Sailors will benefit from enhanced at-sea operations,” John Lighthammer, program manager for the Auxiliary and Special Mission Shipbuilding Program Office, said in a statement.
Delivery occurred after the ship completed acceptance trials with the Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey, which verified its readiness, capability and validated requirements.
The Navy plans to procure 20 ships in this class, with all to be operated by Military Sealift Command (MSC).
T-AO 206 and its 742-foot long sister ships will provide diesel fuel, lubricating oil, jet fuel, small quantities of fresh and frozen provisions and dry stores and potable water to ships at sea. They travel at up to 20 knots.
NASSCO is also constructing the future USNS Robert F. Kennedy (T-AO 208), USNS Lucy Stone (T-AO 209) and USNS Sojourner Truth (T-AO 210). The company also has under contract plans to build the future USNS Thurgood Marshall (T-AO 211) and USNS Ruth Bader Ginsburg (T-AO 212), and the unnamed T-AO 213.