The US Navy has taken delivery of its fourth John Lewis-class replenishment oiler vessel from General Dynamics NASSCO.
The USNS Robert F. Kennedy’s (T-AO 208) handover comes after the ship’s completion of integrated sea trials to validate expected functionality and readiness according to the military’s standards.
It will be integrated into the navy’s Military Sealift Command, which is responsible for the logistics of fuel, goods, tactical equipment, and land-based vehicles for American ships at sea.
“This delivery is a significant milestone as we bring another oiler to our fleet and increase our replenishment underway capabilities,” US Navy Auxiliary and Special Mission Ships Program Manager John Lighthammer stated.
“This is the final stepping stone in getting this essential ship to our civilian mariners in need of its tools.”
The USNS Kennedy’s arrival followed the start of the construction process for the seventh John Lewis-class oiler in California.
The John Lewis System
The US Navy’s John Lewis-class fleet replenishment ship measures 746 feet (227 meters) long and can accommodate more than 120 sailors.
It is protected by machine guns, close-in weapons systems, and air defense missiles.
The vessel is fitted with two Fairbanks-Morse diesel engines for speeds up to 20 knots (23 miles/37 kilometers per hour) and a range of more than 6,000 nautical miles (6,905 miles/11,112 kilometers).
Last September, the US Department of Defense awarded General Dynamics a $6.75-billion deal to manufacture eight more vessels of the class on top of the orders placed until 2023, increasing the navy’s overall John Lewis platforms to 17.
