The US Navy took delivery of a new John Lewis-class fleet replenishment oiler (T-AO) from General Dynamics NASSCO of San Diego on Tuesday, December 10.
The delivery of USNS Robert F. Kennedy follows the completion of integrated sea trials where the ship’s readiness and capabilities are tested and validated to delivery requirements.
Like its John Lewis-class sisters, the ship has 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 drive conventional propellers to deliver a speed of 20 knots and a range of over 6,140 nautical miles.
The vessel 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, as well as jet fuel for aircraft. The ship also boasts the capacity to carry up to 157,000 barrels of oil, a significant dry cargo capacity, and aviation capability courtesy of a helicopter deck.
General Dynamics NASSCO is currently building another four John Lewis-class T-AOs for the navy. Another two vessels are under contract, while a Block Buy contract was issued in September 2024 for the detail design and construction of eight additional T-AOs.
The fourth John Lewis-class T-AO is named after the late US Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1968 while he was campaigning for election to the US Presidency.