Through 2027, San Diego-based General Dynamics NASSCO is expected to be working on long-lead-time material for vessels that are part of the John Lewis-class fleet oiler (T-AO) and the Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB) programs, thanks to a new $600 million U.S. Navy contract modifications award.
The West Coast shipbuilder is expected to contribute long-lead-time material for the building of the T-A0’s seventh and eighth vessels and ESB’s sixth vessel, valued at $500 million and $100 million, respectively.
Construction is set to start in the third quarter of 2023 and last through 2027, NASSCO said.
“NASSCO shipbuilders are honored to build T-AO 211, T-AO 212 and ESB 8,” company President Dave Carver said in the company’s June 29 announcement. “The NASSCO team is excited to work with our Navy partners to ensure the success of both historic programs which are critical in supporting the Navy’s forward presence.”
The company is familiar with the T-AO program, having designed and constructed the first six ships in the John Lewis-class (T-AO 205), 742-foot vessels created to move fuel to U.S. Navy carrier strike group vessels at sea. T-AO vessels can carry as much as 157,000 barrels of oil and have a full load displacement of 49,850 tons, according to NASSCO.
