TSAMTO, July 26. General Dynamics-National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (GD-NASSCO) announced the christening ceremony of the head tanker of the next generation of the John Lewis class (T-AO-205), which is also known under the designation T-AO(X), held on July 17 at its San Diego facility.
As reported by TSAMTO, in June 2016, GD-NASSCO announced the conclusion of a contract with the US Navy Shipbuilding and Armament Command for the development of a detailed design and construction of T-AO-205 "John Lewis" class tanker tankers. The agreement signed following the results of the tender included options for the construction of five additional vessels of the series. The cost of the contract for the construction of the lead ship is $ 640.2 million. If all options are implemented, the project cost will amount to $ 3,156 billion (options for five tanker tankers have already been implemented). The program provides for the purchase of up to 20 new tanker tankers, which will replace the outdated T-AO 187 vessels of the Henry J. Kaiser".
The John Lewis Steel Cutting Ceremony for Construction (T-AO-205) took place on September 20, 2018. The keel of the ship was laid at the enterprise in San Diego on May 13, 2019, and the launch was on January 13, 2021.
Currently, three more ships are under construction: (T-AO-206) "Harvey Milk", (T-AO-207) "Earl Warren" and (T-AO-208) "Robert F.Kennedy." They will be followed by (T-AO-209) "Lucy Stone" and (T-AO-210)"Sojourner Truth".
The length of the new ship is 226 m (742 ft), the maximum width is 32.2 m, the total displacement is 49,850 tons. The John Lewis-class tanker is designed to supply ships of aircraft carrier strike groups and amphibious assault groups of the US Navy at sea. The design speed is up to 20 knots. The ship will be able to transport 157 thousand barrels of petroleum products, including new biofuels. Tankers will also be able to transport dry cargo, receive helicopters. 125 people can be accommodated on board.
