General
Dynamics NASSCO, a subsidiary of General Dynamics, has been awarded
a contract by the U.S. Navy for the detailed design and construction
of the next generation of fleet oilers, the John Lewis class (TAO-205),
previously known as the TAO(X). This contract is for the construction
of six ships. |
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The first
ship of the program was funded in the FY2016 budget, allowing engineering
and design work to begin immediately. The U.S. Navy’s FY2017 budget
requests advance procurement for a second ship, with procurement expected
to occur in FY2018.
Designed to transfer fuel to U.S. Navy surface ships operating at sea,
the oilers will have the capacity to carry 156,000 barrels of oil, including
the Navy’s new bio fuels. The oilers also offer a significant
dry cargo capacity, aviation capability and will reach a speed of 20
knots.
“We are pleased to be building the next generation of oilers and
participating in the future design efforts of the LX(R), two very important
ship programs for the fleet,” said Fred Harris, president of General
Dynamics NASSCO and Bath Iron Works. “With this award, we will
now proceed with engineering and design work.”
As part of the U.S. Navy’s acquisition strategy for the TAO-205
program, NASSCO has also been awarded LX(R) contract design engineering
man-hours.
NASSCO maintains an extensive history of building ships for the U.S.
Navy. Similar to the TAO-205 program, NASSCO shipbuilders recently completed
a 14-ship T-AKE program for the U.S. Navy. Currently, the San Diego-based
shipbuilder is under contract to construct its fourth Expeditionary
Sea Base (ESB) for the U.S. Navy, USNS Hershel Williams, and is under
contract to procure long-lead time material and engineering support
for a fifth ESB. |
