A keel laying is the popularity of the beginning of a ship’s development. It’s the becoming a member of collectively of a ship’s modular parts and the authentication or etching of an honoree’s initials right into a ceremonial keel plate. The ship’s sponsor, Supreme Court docket Justice Elena Kagan, had her initials etched into the keel plate by NASSCO welders.
“We’re wanting ahead to getting these ships to the fleet to help at-sea operations,” stated John Lighthammer, program supervisor, Auxiliary and Particular Mission Shipbuilding Program Workplace. “This new class of oilers are bringing a lot wanted functionality and capability to the fleet.”
The John Lewis-class T-AOs might be operated by Navy Sealift Command to supply gasoline and lubricating oil, and small portions of recent and frozen provisions, shops, and potable water to Navy ships at sea, and gasoline for embarked plane.
The oilers function the capability to hold barrels of oil, a big dry cargo capability, aviation functionality and a pace of 20 knots. NASSCO designed the brand new vessels with double hulls to guard in opposition to oil spills and strengthened cargo and ballast tanks. The brand new T-AOs will add capability to the Navy’s Fight Logistics Drive and grow to be the cornerstone of the gasoline supply system.
NASSCO is presently additionally in manufacturing on USNS Harvey Milk (T-AO 206), and USNS Robert F. Kennedy (T-AO 208). The longer term USNS Lucy Stone (T-AO 209) and USNS Sojourner Fact (T-AO 210) are underneath contract. NASSCO can be presently in manufacturing of two Expeditionary Sea Bases (ESB) – the long run USS John L. Canley (ESB 6) and USS Robert E. Simanek (ESB 7).
As one of many Protection Division’s largest acquisition organizations, PEO Ships is answerable for executing the event and procurement of all destroyers, amphibious ships, particular mission and help ships, and boats and craft.
