General Dynamics NASSCO announced it received $856 million in funding for the construction of T-AO 217, the latest vessel in the U.S. Navy’s John Lewis-class fleet replenishment oiler program.
The funding is part of the shipyard’s eight-ship block buy contract awarded by the U.S. Navy in September 2024 for the construction of additional John Lewis-class oilers, covering T-AO 214 through 221. NASSCO is currently under contract to build 17 vessels in the Navy’s 20-ship program of record and has delivered five ships to date.
“The T-AO program is a cornerstone fixture for the dedicated team at NASSCO, representing the longest-standing Navy production series in our history,” Dave Carver, president of General Dynamics NASSCO, said in a statement. “Funding for ship 13 (T-AO 217) maintains a steady workforce and helps mitigate the risk of future layoffs. Our commitment to the Navy is that we will continue to move fast and deliver these important ships to the fleet, while at the same time working to secure timely funding for ships 14-17.”
The Navy first awarded NASSCO a contract in 2016 to design and build the first six ships in the next-generation fleet oiler program. That contract was expanded in 2022 to include T-AO 211 through 213 before the Navy awarded the additional eight-ship block buy contract in 2024.
The 742' John Lewis-class oilers are designed to provide underway replenishment support for Navy vessels operating at sea. The ships have a full-load displacement of 49,850 tons, can carry 162,000 barrels of oil, and are equipped to transport dry cargo and support aviation operations. The vessels are capable of speeds up to 20 knots.
NASSCO currently has five additional T-AOs under construction at its San Diego shipyard.
