NASSCO starts construction of John Lewis class fleet oiler USNS Sojourner Truth.

According to a PR published by General Dynamics NASSCO on March 27, 2023, the company started construction on the future USNS Sojourner Truth (T-AO 210), the sixth ship for the U.S. Navy’s John Lewis-class fleet oiler program.
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Start of construction ceremony for the future fleet oiler USNS Sojourney Truth. (Picture source: NASSCO)

The USNS Sojourner Truth will be a Fleet Replenishment Oiler in the United States Navy. She will be primarily used for underway replenishment of fuel and stores for other ships at sea.

The vessel will have a displacement of 49,850 tons at full load, with a length of 746 feet, a beam of 106 feet 5 inches, and a maximum draft of 33.5 feet.

The USNS Sojourner Truth will be powered by two medium-speed Fairbanks-Morse MAN 12V48/60CR diesel engines, which drive two shafts with propellers, allowing her to reach speeds of up to 20 knots. The vessel will have an endurance of 6,147 nautical miles and can accommodate a total of 125 personnel.

The USNS Sojourner Truth will be equipped with the AN/SLQ-25A Nixie torpedo countermeasures system and has multiple .50 caliber machine guns for defensive purposes.

She will also have space, weight, and power reservations for Phalanx close-in weapons systems or SeaRAM. The vessel will have a helicopter flight deck for aviation operations.

The USNS Sojourner Truth will be equipped with five refueling stations and two dry cargo transfer rigs, allowing her to provide fuel, ammunition, and other supplies to other ships at sea.