The US Navy christened the future fleet replenishment oiler (T-AO) USNS Sojourner Truth during a ceremony at General Dynamics NASSCO's San Diego shipyard on Saturday, April 26.
T-AO 210 is named in honour of Sojourner Truth, a nineteenth century civil rights activist from New York. Like its sisters in the John Lewis-class, it will be operated by the Military Sealift Command to provide diesel fuel and lubricating oil and small quantities of fresh and frozen provisions, stores, and potable water to US Navy ships at sea.
The ship will also boast the capacity to carry up to 157,000 barrels of oil and jet fuel for aircraft, a significant dry cargo capacity, and aviation capability courtesy of a helicopter deck.
Upon completion, the future Sojourner Truth will have a length of 746 feet (227 metres), a beam of 106 feet (32.4 metres), a maximum draught of 33.5 feet (10.2 metres), a displacement of 24,818 tons (22,515 tonnes) and a crew complement of 125 including 99 civilian mariners.
Two Fairbanks-Morse/MAN 12V48/60CR four-stroke diesel engines will drive conventional propellers to deliver a speed of 20 knots and a range of over 6,140 nautical miles.
General Dynamics NASSCO is currently in production of three additional John Lewis-class T-AOs, with two more under contract for future production. Additionally, a block buy contract was issued in September 2024 for the detail design and construction of T-AOs 214 to 221.