San Diego-based General Dynamics NASSCO has been retained to construct a ninth vessel in the U.S. Navy’s John Lewis-class fleet oiler program.
The company announced May 23 that its current contract of eight ships with the Navy has been modified to allow for the building of an additional ship at a cost of $736 million.
“NASSCO is proud of our ongoing dedication to deliver these ships to the fleet,” General Dynamics NASSCO President Dave Carver said. “We are committed to working with our Navy partners to ensure the continued success of the John Lewis-class fleet oiler program.”
Construction of the ninth ship is set to start in the third quarter of 2025.
NASSCO was selected by the Navy in 2016 to develop the program’s first six ships, 742-foot vessels to be used to carry fuel to naval carrier strike group vessels at sea, according to the company.
With a ninth ship added, the contract is now valued at about $5.5 billion.
The first vessel, the USNS John Lewis, was delivered in 2022. Under construction are the USNS Harvey Milk, the USNS Earl Warren, the USNS Robert F. Kennedy, the USNS Lucy Stone and the USNS Sojourner Truth.
