TSAMTO, November 18. The command of the US Navy announced the baptism ceremony of the next-generation tanker (T-AO-206) Harvey Milk of the John Lewis class in San Diego (California).
The Harvey Milk is the second ship of the John Lewis class. In total, it is planned to adopt up to 20 ships of the series intended for the supply of warships at sea, as well as the delivery of fuel for carrier-based aircraft.
As reported by TSAMTO, 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 the T-AO-205 John Lewis class tanker in June 2016. 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. In case of realization of all options (for five additional vessels of the series), the project cost will amount to 3,156 billion dollars (options 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already been implemented) The program provides for the purchase of up to 20 new tanker tankers, which will replace the outdated T-AO 187 vessels of the Henry J. Kaiser."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 steel cutting ceremony for the construction of (T-AO-205) "John Lewis" took place on September 20, 2018. The laying of the ship's keel took place at the enterprise in San Diego on May 13, 2019, launching - on January 13, 2021, epiphany – on July 17, 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." The laying of the Harvey Milk keel took place in September 2020. Contracts have been signed for the construction of (T-AO 209) Lucy Stone and (T-AO 210) Sojourner Tinder.
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 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 vessel can transport 156,000 barrels of petroleum products, including new biofuels. Tankers can also transport dry cargo and take helicopters. 125 people can be accommodated on board. Short-range missiles or SeaRAM (Rolling Airframe Missile) can be used as weapons to protect against anti-ship cruise missiles. In addition, the vessel can receive the Nixie anti-torpedo protection system, as well as small arms and artillery weapons to protect against speedboats.
